After several days of sluggishness the Colombo stock market yesterday gathered strength closing firmly on the up.
Turnover improved to Rs. 3.03 billion thanks to all round buying including a few strategic deals.

Benchmark ASPI moved up 81 points and MPI by 124 points. These gains helped push year to date increase in ASPI to 98% and MPI’s to 89%.
Among heavily traded stocks were Asiri Surgical Hospitals, Nawaloka, Vallibel Erathna, Commercial Bank, Dialog and JKH. Foreigners were net sellers to the tune of Rs. 754 million.

Analysts said that buying momentum likely to remain in anticipation of impressive quarterly earnings and overall improved economic prospects post-war.