Foreign purchases account for 77% of turnover

ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as John Keells Holdings, Sri Lanka Telecom and Asiri Hospital Holdings whilst turnover crossed Rs 616 Mn. A similar behaviour was witnessed in S&P SL20. Crossings were witnessed in Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, Chevron Lubricants, Commercial Bank and John Keels Holdings, accounting for 59.0% of turnover. Mixed interest was observed in Teejay Lanka. Meanwhile, foreigners remained active closing as net buyers mainly due to foreign purchases in John Keells Holdings and Sampath Bank. Total foreign purchases accounted for 77.3% of turnover.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank and Commercial Bank) whilst the sector index lost 0.72%. The share price of Sampath Bank closed flat at Rs 261.00 whilst foreign holdings increased by 217,775 shares. The share price of Hatton National Bank moved down by Rs 1.20 (0.52%) to close at Rs 229.50. The share price of Commercial Bank declined by Rs 0.70 (0.52%) to close at Rs 133.00.

Diversified sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings) whilst the sector index edged up by 0.08%. The share price of John Keells Holdings closed flat at Rs 134.90 whilst foreign holdings increased by 788,227 shares.

Chevron Lubricants was also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Chevron Lubricants recorded a gain of Rs 0.50 (0.30%) to close at Rs 168.50.

Furthermore, Sigiriya Village Hotels announced its interim dividends of Rs 4.00 per share.