Communication services lift Sri Lanka shares
Sri Lankan shares rose on May 19, supported by gains in communication services stocks. The CSE All Share index increased by 0.11% to 16,397.68, marking its sixth consecutive rise. Wireless telecom services gained 1.32%, while diversified telecom services rose 2.15%. Lake House Printers and Publishers and SMB Finance were the top gainers, up 18.15% and 16.67%, respectively. Trading volume decreased to 91.4 million shares, and turnover fell to 2.61 billion rupees. Foreign investors were net buyers, while domestic investors sold shares worth 2.51 billion rupees.
May 19 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan shares closed higher on Monday, aided by gains in communication services stocks.
* The CSE All Share index .CSE settled up 0.11% at 16,397.68, rising for the sixth straight session.
* Shares in wireless telecom services gained 1.32% while diversified telecom services stocks advanced 2.15%.
* Lake House Printers and Publishers LPRT.CM and SMB Finance SEMB.CM were the top two percentage gainers on the CSE All Share, rising 18.15% and 16.67%, respectively.
* Trading volume on the CSE All Share index fell to 91.4 million shares from 153.9 million shares in the previous session.
* The equity market's turnover dropped to 2.61 billion Sri Lankan rupees ($8.70 million) from 3.11 billion rupees in the previous session, according to exchange data.
* Foreign investors were net buyers, purchasing stocks worth 178.5 million rupees, while domestic investors were net sellers, offloading shares worth 2.51 billion rupees, the data showed.
* For a report on global markets, click MKTS/GLOB
($1 = 299.9000 Sri Lankan rupees)
