Sri Lanka *market update* ASPI close up 0.6-pct, Turnover Rs. 1.0 bn

ASPI closed at 6,637.74, up 42.94 points or 0.65 percent with gains in index heavy stocks like John Keells Holding and Hemas Holdings, brokers said. Turnover was 1.0 billion rupees. Top contributory counters towards the day’s turnover were John Keells Holdings (Voting) LKR 619.1mn (USD 4,255.0k, +1.8%), Hayleys Fabric LKR 50.7mn (USD 348.6k, 0.0%), Ceylinco Insurance (Voting) LKR 29.0mn (USD 199.3k, 0.0%) LB Finance LKR 27.9mn (USD 192.1k, +0.4%), Textured Jersey Lanka LKR 19.1mn (USD 131.2k, -0.6%). Foreign purchases amounted to LKR 225.5mn (USD 1,549.6k), whilst foreign sales amounted to LKR 670.7mn (USD 4,609.9k). This resulted in a net foreign outflow of LKR 445.3mn being recorded at the end of the day’s trading. Market capitalization stood at LKR 2,828.3bn. YTD performance of the ASPI is -3.7%