FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – The Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka experienced a positive trading session on Friday, as indicated by CSE data, with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) rising by 0.47 percent.
The ASPI gained 100.42 points, reaching a total of 21,370.09, while the more liquid S&P SL20 index increased by 0.28 percent, or 16.66 points, bringing it to 5,988.16.
Throughout the week, the ASPI saw an increase of 240.88 points, driven by interest from affluent investors.
Key contributors to the ASPI’s growth included Central Finance Company, which rose by 1.78 percent to 229.00 rupees, John Keells Holdings, which increased by 0.50 percent to 20.10 rupees, RIL Property, up by 2.83 percent to 25.40 rupees, and Colombo Dockyard, which saw a rise of 2.17 percent to 129.25 rupees.
On the downside, Hemas Holdings fell by 2.19 percent to 31.20 rupees, Ceylon Grain Elevators dropped by 2.20 percent to 477.25 rupees, and Cargills Bank experienced a decline of 6.67 percent, closing at 7.00 rupees.
The total market turnover was reported at 1.89 billion rupees, with the banking sector leading the way by contributing 597.5 million rupees.
In a notable market development, shares of Sri Lanka’s Commercial Credit and Finance, held by the Singaporean company Group Lease Holdings, which is currently in liquidation, were sold within a price range of 100.50 rupees to 113.00 rupees each, as per a market announcement.
A total of 95,390,500 shares, representing the complete 29.99 percent stake of Group Lease Holdings, were transacted, while Commercial Credit and Finance shares closed at 109.25 rupees, reflecting a rise of 1.63 percent.
(Colombo/August 07/2026)
