Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.3-pct

Jan 05, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down at 0.33 percent with losses in index heavy and some banking sector stocks, brokers said.

The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed lower at 22.32 points at 6,845.30 down 0.33 percent. S&P SL20 closed 8.19 points down at 3,590.69 down 0.23 percent.

Turnover was at 560 million rupees with 38 stocks closing positive against 91 negative.

"Investors are still keeping away mainly due to lack of policy direction and economic concerns," Lanka Securities said.

The main index showed losses in Sri Lanka Telecom closing at 45.30 rupees, down 1.70 rupees and Ceylon Tobacco closing at 980.00 rupees, down 12.50 rupees.

In the banking sector, DFCC Bank closed at 162.30 rupees, down 5.80 rupees and Sampath Bank closed at 248.00 rupees, down 2.00 rupees.

Hatton National Bank closed at 208.00 rupees, down 2.60 rupees.

Active trading was seen in Dialog Axaita with the stock closing flat at 10.60 rupees with 10 crossings amounting to 30.4 million share recorded at 10.50 rupees. Crossings accounted for 76 percent of the days turnover.