Jan 07, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down at 0.62 percent for a fourth consecutive day with some index heavy and banking stocks making losses, brokers said.

The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed lower at 42.38 points at 6,775.27 down 0.62 percent. S&P SL20 closed 26.73 points down at 3,546.45 down 0.75 percent.

Turnover was at 740 million rupees with 24 stocks closing positive against 121 negative.

"Turnover was supported by institutional buying with 68 percent coming from crossings," Lanka Securities said.

The main index showed losses in John Keells holding closing at 173.00 rupees, down 3.10 rupees and Sri Lanka Telecom closing at 44.90 rupees, down 1.10 rupees.

In banking Commercial Bank closed at 139.20 rupees, down 0.30 rupees and DFCC bank closed at 160.50 rupees, down 1.50 rupees. Sampath Bank closed at 245.00 rupees, down 1.20 rupees. Active trading was seen Alumex with the stock closing flat at 17.10 rupees with one off the floor trade of over 10 million shares trading at 17.00 rupees. Foreign investors were net sellers of 252 million rupees with foreign participation at 28 percent. A net foreign inflow was seen in Ceylon Grain Elevators 5 million rupees while net foreign outflows were seen in John Keels Holdings 159 million rupees, Commercial Bank 88 million rupees and Textured Jersey 5 million rupees.