Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.4-pct

Apr 05, 2012 (LBO) - Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.41 percent Thursday ahead of the Easter weekend with both indices up and net foreign buying, brokers said. Actively traded counters include Swarnamahal Financial Services closing at 8.





50 rupees, down 20 cents, HVA Foods closing at 12.

90 rupees, down 40 cents, and Environmental Resources Investments, closing at 15.80 rupees, with no change from its previous close.

The benchmark All Share Price Index gained 0.41 percent (22.34 points) to 5423.25, while the Milanka Index of liquid stocks was up 0.34 percent (16.36 points) to close at 4893.67.

Turnover was nearly 635 million rupees with a volume of 24.8 million shares traded, according to stock exchange provisional figures.

Brokers said foreign participation was positive for the week ending Thursday at 787.

5 million rupees, accounting for 19.4 percent of the week’s turnover.

Sigiriya Village which closed at 75 rupees, up 7.

80 rupees was the highest contributor to turnover. The share recorded a crossing or off the floor transaction of 2.

8 million shares at 67 rupees each.

A crossing was also recorded on Union Bank with 5.3 million shares changing hands at 22 rupees a piece.

Blue chip JKH ended the day flat at 209 rupees.

Carsons closed at 495 rupees, up 19.10, Sampath Bank at 176.90, up 1.90 rupees, Commercial Bank at 99.50 rupees, down 30 cents, and HNB at 159 rupees, up 6.10 rupees.