Sri Lankan shares edge up, led by banks

Reuters: Sri Lankan shares rose on Tuesday as investors picked up banking and diversified stocks, but foreign investors turned net sellers after two days of buying.

The Colombo stock index ended 0.32 percent firmer at 6,705.45, with foreign investors selling a net 120.7 million rupees worth of shares. They have bought 20.7 billion rupees worth equities so far this year.

Turnover was 1.01 billion rupees ($6.59 million), more than this year's daily average of 909.3 million rupees.

"The market is slightly positive, but there was a dampener after a buying spree in top counters," said Prashan Fernando, CEO at Acuity Stockbrokers.

Shares of Hemas Holdings Plc rose 3.2 percent, while the country's biggest listed lender, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc, ended 1.4 percent higher.

Sri Lanka Telecom Plc climbed 2.2 percent, while Ceylon Tobacco Company Plc rose 0.9 percent. 

($1 = 153.1500 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)

Sri Lankan shares hit near 1-wk closing low; Keells down 3 pct

Reuters: Sri Lankan shares hit a near one-week closing low in tepid trade on Monday, as selling in diversified and banking shares offset foreign inflow into equities.

The Colombo stock index ended down 0.52 percent at 6,684.02, its weakest since June 14.

Foreign investors net bought 26.7 million rupees ($174,396) worth of shares, extending the year-to-date net foreign inflow to 20.74 billion rupees.

Turnover was 846.3 million rupees ($5.53 million), less than this year's daily average of 899.4 million rupees.

"Market came down on selling in Keells," said Dimantha Mathew, head of research, First Capital Holdings PLC.

Shares of conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc fell 3.03 percent, while the country's biggest listed lender, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc, ended 1.43 percent lower.

"Investors are (also) worried about growth numbers," he said.

Sri Lanka's economy grew 3.8 percent in the first quarter, slowing from the previous quarter's 5.3 percent, the state-run Census and Statistics Department said last week.

($1 = 153.1000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)