Ceasefire violations panic investors

Repeated violations of the ceasefire by the LTTE which has threatening the peace efforts has panicked investors seriously affecting the stock market performance.

Both indices dropped sharply yesterday with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) falling by 130.61 points to close at 2056.95 points and the Milanka Price Index (MPI) closing the day at 2638.69 points, which is also a drop of 151.14 points.

The total market capitalisation was Rs. 624.9 billion for the day which is a fall of Rs. 39.7 billion. The total equity turnover was Rs. 488.1 million.

The net foreign inflows were Rs 89.8 million with foreign purchases registering Rs. 105.3 million and foreign sales Rs. 15.5 million during the course of the day.

The top five gainers were Malwatte (N), DFCC (N), Hunas Falls (N), Commercial Bank (P), Gestetner (N).

The top five losers were Asso. Hotels (N), Lanka Walltiles (N), Sunshine Holdings (N), Asiri (N), Alliance (N)