Sri Lankan stocks close up on slim turnover

Apr 03, 2009 (LBO) - Sri Lankan shares closed marginally up Friday due to low volume price gains on Hatton National Bank (HNB) and renewed retail interest on Chevron Lubricants Lanka, brokers said.

The All Share Price Index was up 0.05 percent (0.86 points) to end at 1,637.19 while the more liquid Milanka gained 0.

19 percent (3.21 points) to close at 1,726.13.

Turnover was 56.8 million rupees.

"There was profit taking on the marginal gains made today, ahead of the holiday season," said Geeth Balasuriya of Acuity Stockbrokers.

HNB was up 3.25 rupees to close at 78.

Chevron Lubricants Lanka shares were heavily traded amongst retail investors and contributed 17.

7 million rupees to the day's low turnover.

Chevron Lubricants Lanka gained 1.00 rupee to close at 107.75.

Conglomerate John Keells Holdings which has business interest in transport, retail, power, food processing and property development businesses lost 25 cents, to close at 63.

Fixed line giant Sri Lanka Telecom gained 25 cents to close at 34.

25, while index heavy Dialog Telekom, a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia, closed flat at 4.80 rupees.