Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.5-pct

Apr 02, 2015 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's stocks closed higher for the third consecutive day with Access Engineering gaining amid net foreign buying, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 32.06 points higher at 6,948.14 up 0.46 per cent. The S&P SL20 closed 8.91 points higher at 3,909.58 up 0.23 per cent. Turnover was 729.7 million rupees up from 616.53 million rupees a day earlier with 122 stocks closing positive against 51 negative. Foreign investors bought 226.54 million rupees worth shares while selling 153.98 million rupees worth shares. Highest contributor to the index, Access Engineering closed 1.60 rupees higher at 22.00 rupees, contributing most to the index gain. In the banking sector HNB closed at 226.60 rupees, up 3.50 rupees and DFCC closed at 208.50 rupees up 3.50 rupees. Commercial Bank closed 3.30 rupees higher at 163.70 rupees.