Sri Lanka stocks end up 0.2-pct

Aug 26, 2011 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's main share index closed marginally higher Friday with some interest in a finance company and a motor firm and continued speculative trade in certain shares, brokers said. There was again speculative trade in Colombo Land & Development Company which ended at 63.60 rupees, down 50 cents with over 1.6 million shares traded. The main All Share Price Index closed at 6,852.96, up 0.20 percent (13.76 points) while the more liquid Milanka index fell 0.05 percent (2.95 points) to close at 6,222.08, according to stock exchange figures.

Turnover was almost two billion rupees.

Singer Finance (Lanka) was the most actively traded stock, with over 7.2 million shares done, closing at 37.30 rupees, up 7.20, having hit a high of 40.60.

Colonial Motors was also actively traded, closing at 413.60 rupees, up 68.10, with 818,400 shares traded. It hit a high of 421 rupees during the day.

Speculative trade continued in HVA Foods, with over 4.6 million shares done, closing at 38.50, up 60 cents, after hitting a high of 40.50.

East West Properties was also actively traded, closing at 48.30 rupees, down 10 cents, with almost 1.8 million shares changing hands.