The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 29.66 points higher at 5,810.24, up 0.51 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 21.47 points higher at 3,183.09, up 0.68 percent.
Turnover was 779.81 million rupees, down from 1,321.58 million rupees a day earlier, with stocks of 136 firms closing in the red against 72 gainers.
Commercial Leasing and Finance closed 10 cents higher at 4.00 rupees with an off market transaction of 230 million rupees contributing to 30 percent of total turnover.
JKH’s W0022 warrants closed 2.50 rupees higher at 63.50 rupees and its W0023 warrants closed 4.30 rupees higher at 75.30 rupees attracting more retail investor interest during the day.
E-Channelling closed 90 cents lower at 11.80 rupees also getting retail interest. Foreigners brought 272 million rupees worth shares while selling 146 million rupees of shares.
Nestle Lanka closed 299.90 rupees higher at 2,249.90 rupees and Hayleys closed 33.80 rupees higher at 318.90 rupees, contributing most to the index gain.
Carson Cumberbatch closed 11.60 rupees higher at 359.80 rupees and.
Ceylinco Insurance closed 28.60 rupees higher at 1,349.90 rupees and Lanka Orix Leasing Company closed 4.50 rupees lower at 69.50 rupees.
Ceylon Tobacco Company closed 9.10 rupees lower at 1,107.40 rupees and Sri Lanka Telecom closed 40 cents lower at 37.60 rupees.
Bukit Darah closed 4.50 rupees higher at 619.80 rupees and Distilleries closed 80 cents higher at 189.80 rupees.
Asian Hotels and Properties closed 1.10 rupees lower at 67.90 rupees and Commercial Bank closed 50 cents lower at 115.00 rupees.
Dialog Axiata closed flat at 9.00 rupees and JKH closed 50 cents higher at 210.50 rupees. Lanka IOC closed 10 cents lower at 32.30 rupees and Cargills Ceylon closed 1.40 rupees higher at 146.50 rupees.
NDB closed 50 cents lower at 159.50 rupees and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings closed 50 cents lower at 63.00 rupees.
Sampath Bank closed 70 cents lower at 166.00 rupees and DFCC closed flat at 122.00 rupees. HNB closed 10 cents lower at 143.40 rupees and Touchwood Investments closed 10 cents lower at 3.00 rupees.
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/news/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-0.5-pct/196422360