Short answer

• There isn’t a single “best” bank for every borrower. As of Oct 2025, Commercial Bank (ComBank), Bank of Ceylon (BOC), HNB, Sampath, Seylan, NDB and DFCC (and state banks like NSB) are the most competitive/options for home loans in Sri Lanka — Commercial Bank and BOC are market leaders and often offer the widest product choices, while HNB/Sampath/Seylan/NDB/DFCC often compete on pricing, tenure and special features. (anybanq.lk)

How to pick the best bank for your case Compare these factors (different banks win on different items):

1. Interest rate (fixed vs variable / repricing frequency) — the headline rate matters most for cost. Rates vary by product, customer profile and promos, so check each bank’s current offer. (deposit.lk)
2. Tenure and monthly affordability — some banks let you stretch to 20–25 years (reduces EMI). HNB and many commercial banks offer longer tenures. (anybanq.lk)
3. Loan-to-value (LTV) — how much you must put down (many banks go up to ~80–90% for standard borrowers). (deposit.lk)
4. Fees & charges — processing fee, valuation, legal, early settlement/repayment penalties can change total cost. Compare all fees, not only interest. (deposit.lk)
5. Product fit / special schemes — first-time buyer programs, green home loans, foreign-currency or diaspora citizen schemes, construction vs purchase vs refinance. ComBank, DFCC and others run specific schemes. (anybanq.lk)
6. Customer service, branch/online capability and speed of approval — important for complex or time-sensitive purchases (ask for turn-around time, documentation checklist). (combank.net.bd)

Quick snapshot of notable lenders (what they’re known for)

• Commercial Bank (ComBank): market leader in home loans with a broad range of products (first-time buyer, green loans, foreign-currency options) and frequent promotional campaigns. Good for choice and nationwide reach. (anybanq.lk)
• Bank of Ceylon (BOC): one of the largest public banks with widespread branch network and competitive offerings for salaried and self-employed borrowers. (Often used for large mortgages and public-sector customers.) (deposit.lk)
• Hatton National Bank (HNB): flexible tenures (up to ~25 years), fixed & floating options, useful for borrowers wanting longer tenors. (anybanq.lk)
• Sampath Bank: competitive pricing on some home products, good digital/retail banking capability. (deposit.lk)
• Seylan Bank: competitive rates for some schemes and convenience options (often lower fees if using other bank services). (deposit.lk)
• NDB / DFCC: attractive for structured/long-tenor loans and for certain developer-linked financing; DFCC also active in green finance. (anybanq.lk)
• National Savings Bank (NSB) and State Mortgage & Investment Bank (SMIB): sometimes offer preferential rates for specific categories (first-home, low-value loans) — worth checking if you qualify. (deposit.lk)

Practical next steps (fast)

1. Decide your priorities: lowest EMI, lowest all-in cost, longest tenor, or fastest approval.
2. Get indicative quotes from 3 banks (interest rate, repricing, tenure, all fees, early-settlement rules, LTV). Ask for a written amortization example.
3. Compare effective annual cost (use EMI + fees) and the total interest paid over your chosen term.
4. If you want, give me your loan amount, down payment, and desired tenor and I’ll compare hypothetical monthly payments and likely fee ranges using current-market examples.

If you want, I can fetch live current rates and a direct side‑by‑side comparison from the major banks now (I’ll pull the latest published rates and promos). Which lenders do you want checked, or should I compare the top 6 listed above?