Updated
"¦Asiri Surgical Hospital, along with other parties, is engaged in preliminary discussions about the possibility of acquiring a substantial interest in Asha Central Hospital Ltd," Managing Dirctor Ashok Pathirage told the CSE, Monday.
Asiri Surgical shares closed at 12 rupees, up 2.75 with just over three million shares changing hands.
There were big blocks of shares in other listed hospitals too being traded.
Asiri Hospitals close at 78 rupees, up 10.50 on a volume of 169,600;
Asha Central also closed higher, rising 9.75 rupees to 84 with 1,368,100 shares being traded.
Nawaloka Hospitals too closed slightly higher, up 20 cents to 2.70 with 1,489,600 shares being traded.
Media reports have said several parties including, Softlogic which controls Asiri, John Keells Holdings and the Stassens group may be interested in taking over A