Stocks at new high

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan stocks closed at a new life high yesterday as local and foreign investors bought shares across the board, unfazed by a failed assassination attempt against the Defence Secretary, traders said.

The Colombo All Share index rose a provisional 0.43 percent to close at 2,789.78 points. The market had hit a new life closing high of 2,784.24 on Thursday, in turn the latest in a string of new highs in recent weeks.

"Right across the board trading continued. People may have discounted this kind of attack, because they are against specific military targets," said Harsha Fernando, CEO of SC Securities in Colombo.

"There was active foreign participation." Shares in conglomerate John Keells Holdings rose 0.52 percent to 192 rupees a share.

The day's turnover was around 897 million rupees ($8.3 million), around three times the daily average so far this year.

The Colombo Stock Exchange has risen around 45 percent so far this year, as investors look for higher returns than bank deposits offer and local companies post solid earnings.