FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – On Friday, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded a positive closing, according to the latest data released by the exchange.
The All Share Price Index (ASPI) increased by 1.30 percent, translating to a rise of 284.12 points, reaching a total of 22,128.66. Similarly, the S&P SL20 index saw an increment of 1.26 percent, equating to an increase of 76.55 points, bringing it to 6,152.73.
Among the notable gainers, John Keells Holdings experienced a rise of 3.08 percent, closing at Rs.20.10, while Melstacorp grew by 2.60 percent to Rs.177.50. Dialog Axiata saw an increase of 4.11 percent, finishing at Rs.33.00, and the National Development Bank rose by 3.74 percent to Rs.118.00, contributing significantly to the ASPI’s upward movement.
On the downside, Ceylinco Holdings fell by 3.12 percent to Rs.3100.75. Additionally, Hatton National Bank decreased by 0.85 percent to Rs.410.50, and Ceylon Land & Equity faced a significant drop of 13.33 percent, closing at Rs.10.30, marking them as the primary negative influences on the index.
The overall turnover for the day reached 5.016 billion rupees, with the capital goods sector generating 1.026 billion rupees and diversified financials contributing 1.054 billion rupees to the total.
Trading activity included significant crossings in various stocks: John Keells Holdings had 3 million shares traded, followed by R.I.L Property with 1 million and Chevron Lubricants Lanka with 700,000 shares. Other noteworthy crossings involved L.B Finance (685,000 shares), Ambeon Capital (600,000 shares), Seylan Bank (566,105 shares), Access Engineering (300,000 shares), ACL Cables (222,639 shares), LIOC (200,980 shares), Commercial Bank of Ceylon (200,000 shares), DFCC (150,000 shares), and LOLC (40,000 shares).
In other news, HNB Finance of Sri Lanka announced its intention to raise 2,499,529,714 rupees through a rights issue, offering 2 new shares for every 9 existing shares held. The share price saw an increase of 7.53 percent, closing at Rs.10.00.
(Colombo/Apr10/2026)
