Sampath Bank Annual Report 2023-24

Independent Auditor's Report to the Shareholders of Sampath Bank PLC

REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Sampath Bank PLC (the Bank) and the consolidated financial statements of the Bank and its subsidiaries (the Group), which comprise the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2024, and the statement of profit or loss, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policy information.

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements of the Bank and the Group gives a true and fair view of the financial position of the Bank and the Group as at 31 December 2024, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Sri Lanka Accounting Standards.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Sri Lanka Auditing Standards (SLAuSs). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by CA Sri Lanka (Code of Ethics) and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code of Ethics. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of the audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that context.

We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report, including in relation to these matters. Accordingly, our audit included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements. The results of our audit procedures, including the procedures performed to address the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the accompanying financial statements.

Key audit matter	How our audit addressed the key audit matter
Impairment for expected credit losses of loans and advances measured at amortised cost Impairment for expected credit losses of loans and advances measured at amortised cost as stated in Note 25.2 is determined by management based on the accounting policies described in Note 3.4.6 to the financial statements. This was a key audit matter due to: the involvement of significant management judgements, assumptions and level of estimation uncertainty associated in estimating future recoveries of such loans and advances; and the materiality of the reported amount of impairment for expected credit losses Key areas of significant judgements, assumptions and estimates used by management in the assessment of the impairment for expected credit losses for loans and advances include forward-looking macroeconomic scenarios, their associated weightings and considerations that indicate significant increase in credit risk. These are subject to inherently heightened levels of estimation uncertainty and subjectivity.	In addressing the adequacy of the impairment for expected credit losses of loans and advances measured at amortised cost, our audit procedures included the following key procedures. Assessed the alignment of the Bank’s Impairment for expected credit losses computations and underlying methodology including responses to current economic conditions with its accounting policies, based on the best available information up to the date of our report. Evaluated the design, implementation and operating effectiveness of controls over estimation of expected credit losses, which included assessing the level of oversight, review and approval of impairment for expected credit losses, policies and procedures by the Board and management. Tested the completeness, accuracy and reasonableness of the underlying data used in the expected credit loss computations by agreeing details to relevant source documents and accounting records of the Group. Evaluated the reasonableness of credit quality assessments and related stage classifications. In addition to the above, the following procedures were performed: For loans and advances assessed on an individual basis for impairment: Tested the arithmetical accuracy of the underlying individual impairment calculations. Evaluated the reasonableness of key inputs used in the impairment for expected credit losses made with economic conditions. Such evaluations were carried out considering the value and timing of cash flow forecasts particularly relating to elevated risk industries and status of recovery actions of the collaterals.
Further information on the key estimates, assumptions and judgements is disclosed in Notes 2.11 and 3.4.6.	For loans and advances assessed on a collective basis for impairment: Tested the key inputs and the calculations used in the impairment for expected credit losses. Assessed the reasonableness of judgements, assumptions and estimates used by the Management in the underlying methodology and the management overlays. Our testing included evaluating the reasonableness of forward-looking information used, economic scenarios considered, and probability weighting assigned to each scenario. Assessed the adequacy of the related financial statement disclosures set out in Notes 25 and 51.2
Accounting for the debt restructuring of Sri Lanka International Sovereign Bonds (SLISBs) As described in Notes 10.2 and 26 to these financial statements, the Government of Sri Lanka completed its debt restructuring relating to its International Sovereign Bonds (SLISB’s) in December 2024. Consequently, the Bank derecognised its SLISBs and recognised new bonds received as part of the exchange in accordance with its accounting policy described in Note 3.4 to the financial statements This was a key audit matter due to: materiality of the reported amounts which resulted in a reversal of impairment amounting to Rs. 15,787 Mn and recognition of a loss resulting from the initial measurement of the newly issued bonds amounting to Rs. 8,365 Mn during the year; and the degree of management judgements, assumptions and estimation uncertainties associated with measurement and classification of the newly issued bonds, and determination of its impairment on account of expected credit loss. Important aspects of assumptions and estimates made by management include the discount rates used in the measurement of newly issued bonds and the judgement applied in its classification, as detailed in Note 10.2 of the financial statements.	Our audit procedures included the following key procedures: Obtained an understanding of the invitation memorandum issued by the Government of Sri Lanka, which details the terms of the restructuring and the relevant accounting for the option elected by the Bank. Assessed the reasonableness of significant assumptions, judgements and estimates made by management in the measurement and classification of the newly issued bonds. Tested the mathematical accuracy and appropriateness of the related calculations to be in line with the invitation memorandum. Assessed the adequacy of the related financial statement disclosures set out in Notes 10.2 and 26.
Information Technology (IT) systems related internal controls over financial reporting Bank’s financial reporting process is significantly reliant on multiple IT systems with automated processes and internal controls. Further, key financial statement disclosures are prepared using data and reports generated by IT systems, that are compiled and formulated with the use of spreadsheets. Accordingly, IT systems related internal controls over financial reporting were considered a key audit matter.	Our audit procedures included the following key procedures: Obtained an understanding of the internal control environment of the processes and tested relevant controls relating to financial reporting and related disclosures. We involved our internal specialized resources and: Identified, evaluated and tested the design and operating effectiveness of IT systems related internal controls, including those related to user access and change management, and Obtained a high-level understanding of the cybersecurity risks affecting the bank and the actions taken to address these risks primarily through inquiry. We tested source data of the reports used to generate disclosures for accuracy and completeness, including review of the general ledger reconciliations.

Other information included in the Bank’s 2024 Annual Report

Other information consists of the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Management is responsible for the other information.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the financial statements

Management is responsible for the preparation of financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with Sri Lanka Accounting Standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Bank’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Bank or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Bank’s and the Group’s financial reporting process.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with SLAuSs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with SLAuSs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal controls of the Bank and the Group.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.

Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

Requirements of section 163 (2) of the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 and section 39 of the Banking Act No. 30 of 1988 (as amended by Banking Act No. 24 of 2024)

We have obtained all the information and explanations that were required for the audit. As far as appears from our examination, in our opinion, proper accounting records have been kept by the Bank.

In our opinion the disclosures made in the accompanying financial statements are in accordance with the requirements of Circular No. 05 of 2024 issued by Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

CA Sri Lanka membership number of the engagement partner responsible for signing this independent auditor’s report is 2199.

17 February 2025
Colombo