Sri Lanka stocks end down 0.3-pct

Mar 14, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's stocks end lower for the fifth straight day with tobacco and diversified stocks losing ground, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 17.71 points lower at 5,896.23 down 0.30 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 15.02 points lower at 3,207.11, down 0.47 percent.

Turnover was 251.77 million rupees, down from 336.48 million rupees a day earlier with 65 stocks close positive against 82 negative.

Foreign investors bought 100.17 million rupees worth shares while selling 120.45 million rupees of shares.

Asiri Surgical closed 90 cents higher at 14.00 rupees, attracting most number of trades during the day.

John Keells Holdings closed 2.80 rupees lower at 220.00 rupees with two off market transactions of 66.10 million rupees contributing to 26 percent of the daily turnover while contributing most to the index drop.

JKHâ€™s W0022 warrants closed 20 cents higher at 62.00 rupees and its W0023 warrants closed 30 cents lower at 64.70 rupees.

Ceylon Tobacco Company closed 28.70 rupees lower at 1,111.30 rupees and Carson Cumberbatch closed 9.70 rupees lower at 340.30 rupees.

Nestle Lanka closed 26.60 rupees lower at 1,973.30 rupees and SLT closed 50 cents higher at 44.50 rupees.

Lion Brewery closed 8.90 rupees higher at 394.00 rupees and Bukit Darah closed 40 cents lower at 544.60 rupees.

George Steuart Finance closed 21.90 rupees higher at 136.90 rupees and HNB closed 1.20 rupees higher at 152.40 rupees.