Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.3 -pct: CSE trading will stop at mid day on 17 Aug

Aug 14, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed up 0.26 percent on Friday, with gains in the financial sector stocks ahead of the key Aug. 17 parliamentary election, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 19.59 points higher at 7,462.34 up 0.26 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 20.68 points higher at 4,148.92 up 0.50 percent. Turnover was 1.25 billion rupees, up from 979 million on Thursday with 96 stocks closing positive against 69 negative. The main index showed gains in Commercial Bank closing at 174.90 rupees, up 2.80 rupees and Lanka Orix Leasing Company closed at 114.30 rupees, up 4.40 rupees. Lanka IOC closed at 41.20 rupees, up 3.50 rupees with over 3 million shares traded. "Foreign investors turned to be net buyers after 10 sessions with a net foreign inflow of 114 million rupees and foreign participation was marked at 17 percent," Lanka Securities said. "Net foreign inflows were seen in Hemas Holdings 98 million rupees, Laugfs Gas non-voting 28 million rupees and Commercial Bank 17 million rupees while net foreign outflow was mainly seen in Lanka Century Investments 20 million rupees. Dialog Axiata closed at 11.90 rupees, up 0.20 rupees with over 1.10 million shares traded and John Keells Holdings closing at 192.20 rupees, up 0.20 rupees. In banking stocks, DFCC closed at 197.60 rupees, down 0.90 rupees and Hatton National Bank closed at 225.00 rupees, down 0.50 rupees. Trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange will be closed at 12 noon on 17th August 2015 in view of the General Election. (UPDATED)