Sri Lanka stocks edge higher

Dec 24, 2009 (LBO) - Sri Lankan shares closed slightly firmer Thursday ahead of the Christmas break, brokers said. Dankotuwa Porcelain, a tableware exporter that has been making losses after exports were hit by recession, was the most actively traded stock, and closed at 11.



75, up 50 cents. The Colombo all share price index ended at 3,292.76, up 0.82 percent (26.76 points) while the more liquid Milanka closed at 3,777.

24, up 0.88 percent (32.91 points) with turnover at 868 million rupees.

Distilleries Company group, which announced its application to seu up an insurance subsidiary was approved, closed at 107 rupees, up 3.75.

Chemical Industries (Colombo), which announced it had got 250 million rupees from the government for a fertiliser subsidy, closed at 63.

25, up two rupees.

The company said in a stock exchange filing the government released 250 million rupees due to price adjustments on sale of fertilizer made during the period November 2008 - March 2009.

"This will have an impact to the group profitability," it said.

Brokers SC Securities said they believe it would add to the forecast earnings per share for FY2010.

"CIC made a profit of 151 million rupees for the first six months of FY2010.

The 250 million grant would amount to a gain of 3.43 rupees on a per share basis.





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