Sri Lanka stocks close 0.26 pct higher

November 07, 2012 (LBO) - Sri Lanka stocks closed 0.26 percent higher Wednesday on gains made in banking counters, brokers said. AVIVA NDB Insurance PLC slipped 4.50 rupees to close at 365.50 rupees down 1.22 percent.

Colombo Dockyard PLC gained 1.40 rupees to close at 217.50 rupees up 0.65 percent.

Dialog Axiata PLC closed flat at 8.60 rupees.

Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC closed flat at 145.00 rupees.

Commercial Bank closed flat at 103.80 rupees. DFCC Bank gained 1.00 rupees to close at 109.00 rupees up 0.93 percent. Hatton National Bank PLC slipped 0.40 cents to close at 145.60 rupees down 0.27 percent The Colombo All Share Index closed 14.28 points higher at 5,570.87 up 0.26 percent and the S & P SL 20 Index closed 9.89 points higher at 3022.87 up 0.33 percent.

The day's turnover was 250 million rupees. Top contributors to turnover were HNB (NV) with 50 million rupees, Commercial Bank with 28 million rupees and Asiri with 21 million rupees.

Aitken Spence Holdings PLC gained 1.80 rupees to close at 71.80 rupees up 2.57 percent.

Index heavy John Keells Holdings PLC gained 1.20 rupees to close at 213.30 rupees up 0.57 percent.