Sep 17, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down 0.33 percent on Thursday following losses in finance and leasing stocks and in anticipation of a US rate hike tonight, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed down 23.89 points at 7,113.51 lower 0.33 percent. S&P SL20 closed 14.55 points lower at 3,885.08 down 0.37 percent. “Investors are keeping away in anticipating of US Federal Reserve rate hike later today,” Lanka Securities said. “Losses were seen in the finance and leasing sector stocks with more retail investor activity.” Turnover was 658 million rupees with 45 stocks closing positive against 115 negative. The main index showed losses in Lanka Orix Leasing closing at 98.20 rupees, down 1.80 rupees and L.B Finance closing at 115.60 rupees, down 5.60 rupees. Hemas Holdings closed 88.00 rupees, down 0.60 rupees with one off the floor trade of 1.1 million shares traded at 88.00 rupees. John Keells Holdings closed at 173.30 rupees, down 1.70 rupees.