Sri Lanka stocks end down 0.3-pct

Sep 12, 2011 (LBO) - Sri Lankan stocks ended lower Monday continuing a slump that began towards the end of last week, with mostly speculative trading seen, brokers said.

The main All Share Price Index fell 0.



32 percent (22.71 points) to 6,967.62, while the more liquid Milanka index fell 0.





25 percent (15.89 points) to close at 6,271.04, according to stock exchange figures.

Turnover was 2.3 billion rupees.

Tess Agro was the most actively traded stock, with over 65 million shares changing hands.

Shares of the firm, which provides cold chain facilities for perishables and export of fruits, vegetables and marine products, closed at 5.

20 rupees, up 1.20.

Ascot Holdings was also actively traded, closing at 178.

30 rupees, up 42.20. There were two crossings or off-market private deals, one of 150,000 shares at 160 rupees and the other of 154,000 shares at 150 rupees a share.

Amana Takaful, an Islamic insurer whose Maldives unit is planning an IPO, was also actively traded, with over 18.

6 million shares done, closing at 2.90, up 10 cents.

Amana Takaful's unit in the Maldives is selling 800,000 shares to raise 16 million rufiyaa in an initial public offer opening on September 20. The firm would sell the shares at 20 rufiyaa each.

John Keells Holdings closed at 214.

60, down 50 cents with 720,400 shares traded, of which 700,000 shares went as a crossing or off-market private deal at 215 rupees each.