Foreign sales account for 77% of turnover

The ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Melstacorp, Commercial Bank and Brown & Company with the turnover crossing Rs 867 Mn. A similar behaviour was witnessed in the S&P SL20. Crossings were witnessed in John Keells Holdings, Sampath Bank and Dialog Axiata, accounting for 70.8% of the turnover. Retail interest was noted in Janashakthi Insurance Company. Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net sellers mainly due to foreign selling in John Keells Holdings. Total foreign sales accounted for 76.7% of the turnover.

Diversified sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings) whilst the sector index lost 0.63%. The share price of John Keells Holdings decreased by Rs 0.60 (0.37%) closing at Rs 160.20 whilst foreign holdings decreased by 2,074,644 shares.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Sampath Bank and Janashakthi Insurance Company) whilst the sector index decreased by 0.33%. The share price of Sampath Bank edged up by Rs 0.10 (0.04%) to close at Rs 239.50. The share price of Janashakthi Insurance Company moved up by Rs 0.30 (1.14%) to close at Rs 26.60.

Vidullanka and Dialog Axiata were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Vidullanka recorded a loss of Rs 0.10 (2.08%) to close at Rs 4.70. The share price of Dialog Axiata closed flat at Rs 11.40.