The Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka concluded its trading session on a downturn this Friday, as investors sought to capitalize on recent gains by swiftly taking profits, according to broker reports. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) decreased by 0.58 percent, a decline of 131.62 points, closing at 22,701.91. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 index fell by 1.01 percent, or 65.05 points, settling at 6,360.75.
Ranjan Ranatunga, Assistant Vice President of Research at First Capital Holdings PLC, commented, “During times of uncertainty, investors don’t hold positions for long. They tend to engage in day trading to secure quick profits.”
Ceylinco Insurance PLC emerged as the top positive contributor to the ASPI, rising by 3.12 percent to reach Rs. 3,300.00. In contrast, John Keells Holdings PLC experienced a decline of 2.78 percent to Rs. 21.10, while Hatton National Bank PLC and Sampath Bank PLC fell by 0.92 percent to Rs. 429.00 and 0.80 percent to Rs. 155.50, respectively, marking them as significant negative contributors to the index.
Ranatunga further noted, “There was a bit of interest in penny stocks, but the rest of the market was mostly down or flat.”
The market recorded a turnover of 5.00 billion rupees, with a significant portion, 1.57 billion rupees, attributed to capital goods.
(Colombo/March 6, 2026)
