Sri Lanka shares end up 1.0-pct

U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung alongside officials from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, the Colombo West International Terminal and the U.S. Department of Energy

Feb 24, 2012 (LBO) - Sri Lankan shares closed higher Friday on thin turnover with sharp gains seen in some illiquid stocks, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index closed up 1.07 percent (58.70 points) at 5,566.30, while the more liquid Milanka index fell 0.02 percent (0.82 points) to close at 4,802.78.

Turnover fell to 508 million rupees, according to stock exchange provisional figures.

Harishchandra Mills was the top gainer, up 49 percent or 815 rupees to 2,475 on just one trade.

Central Investments & Finance was the most actively traded stock, closing at 8.80 rupees, up 2.30, after hitting a high of 9.60 rupees, with 968,592 shares done.

Commercial Bank was also actively traded closing at 100 rupees, down 60 cents.

Index heavyweight John Keells Holdings closed at 176.10 rupees, down 1.10.