Rayynor Silva enters Seylan Bank as Dhammika Perera exits selling 5% for Rs. 1.5 b

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 00:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Diversifies banking sector portfolio which includes 10% of Sampath, DFCC and 1% of Commercial Bank

Rayynor Silva

Dhammika Perera

High net worth investor and media industry fame Rayynor Silva yesterday entered Seylan Bank buying the remaining 5% stake of business leader Dhammika Perera for Rs. 1.57 billion.

Rayynor paid Rs. 105 per voting share in buying 15 million.

As at 30 June 2025, Dhammika Perera held 20 million shares or 6.55% stake but had been selling down recently leading upto the exit yesterday. Overall Seylan saw 16.68 million of its shares change hands via 300 trades for Rs. 1.76 billion. It closed at Rs. 110, up by one rupee.

With the entry into Seylan, Rayynor has further diversified his strong holdings in the financial sector. Via Phantom Investments Ltd., Rayynor already owns 10% of Sampath Bank and 9.73% DFCC in addition to picking up 1% in Commercial Bank recently.

Rayynor was among a consortium of buyers when Dhammika on 9 October sold 26.55 million voting shares (1.7% stake) of Commercial Bank at Rs. 195 per share in a deal worth Rs. 5.5 billion.

Dhammika exited from Commercial Bank after having around 3.6% stake originally and 2.5% as of June. Both Seylan and Commercial Bank stakes were part of his trading portfolio whilst his strategic interests remain in Sampath Bank PLC (15% via Vallibel One PLC) and Pan Asia Bank PLC (29.9%).