Expolanka Holdings, Distilleries contribute to market gains

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s stock market closed 0.31 percent higher on Friday drove by index heavy Expolanka Holdings, Distilleries and LOLC Finance, continuing the first week of 2021 on positive sentiment, Stock Exchange Provisional Data cited by Economy Next showed.

Colombo’s All share price index gained 0.31 percent or 21.69 points to close at 7,119.53, Economy Next reported.

The S&P SL20 index of more liquid stocks gained 0.57 percent or 15.28 points to close at 2,707.84.
The market turnover was 6.1 billion rupees with 63 stocks gaining and 121 falling.

Expolanka Holdings contributed most to the ASPI gain, closing 3.30 rupees up at 34.30 rupees a share.

LOLC Finance fell 50 cents to close at 129.00 rupees a share and Distilleries Company gained 1.40 rupees to close at 22.90 rupees a share also contributing to the ASPI.

In the banking sector, Hatton National Bank closed flat at 129.00 rupees while Sampath Bank closed 70 cents up at 142.00 rupees a share, Commercial Bank of Ceylon fell 30 cents to close at 82.40 rupees and DFCC Bank closed 20 cents down at 64.80 rupees.

In the hotel sector Eden Hotel Lanka closed flat at 11.00 rupees a share, Aitken Spence Hotel holdings fell 20 cents to close at 33.80 rupees, John Keels Hotels closed 10 cents down at 10.90 rupees a share and Sigiriya Village hotel closed flat at 36.90.