BOC increases paid-up capital by Rs.730mn

State-owned Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has increased its paid-up capital from Rs.25 billion to Rs.25.73 billion, a move formalised through a government gazette and a subsequent disclosure to the Colombo Stock 

Exchange (CSE).

The capital infusion was enacted via an extraordinary gazette notification (No. 2438/12) issued on May 27, 2025. The order, made under the Bank of Ceylon Ordinance, was issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

In a formal disclosure to the CSE on June 18, 2025, BOC Secretary to Board Janaki Siriwardane confirmed the increase in the bank’s paid-up capital, referencing the aforementioned gazette.

An increase in a bank’s paid-up capital, which is the capital received from the shareholders in exchange for shares, typically serves several strategic purposes. Primarily, it strengthens the bank’s financial base and capital adequacy ratios. A higher capital buffer enhances a bank’s ability to absorb unexpected losses and demonstrates financial stability to depositors, investors 

and regulators.