Sri Lanka stocks close 0.69 pct higher

November 02, 2012 (LBO) - Sri Lanka stocks closed up 0.69 percent Friday with several blue chips and banks gaining ground. The Colombo All Share Index closed at 5,532.32 up 37.78 points and the S & P SL 20 Index closed 23.80 points higher at 2997.95 up 0.80 percent.

Turnover was a relative high at 1,305, 245 million rupees. Leading contributors to turnover were JKH with 578 million rupees, Environment Resources Holdings with 349 million rupees.

Aitken Spence PLC gained 0.20 cents to close at 127.00 rupees up 0.16 percent.

AVIVA NDB Insurance PLC closed 3.00 rupees higher to close at 365.00 rupees up 0.83 percent.

Commercial Bank gained 0.20 cents to close at 103.10 rupees up 0.19 percent. DFCC Bank dropped 0.80 cents to close at 106.00 rupees down 0.75 percent. Hatton National Bank PLC gained 4.50 rupees to close at 145.30 rupees up 3.20 percent. Sampath Bank PLC gained 5.80 rupees to close at 199.30 rupees up 3.00 percent

Environmental Resources Investments PLC gained 0.50 cents to close at 15.30 rupees up 3.38 percent.

Dialog Axiata PLC slipped 0.10 cents to close at 8.10 rupees down 1.22 percent.

Index heavy John Keells Holdings PLC gained 3.20 rupees to close at 209.70 rupees up 1.55 percent