Net foreign inflow high;

Sri Lankans buy more shares in 2009

Harshini PERERA

Foreigners bought 38 percent of the total shares of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) at the end of year 2009. Foreign companies accounted for 25.1 percent of the total purchases and local companies have accounted for 33.3 percent whereas Sri Lankans accounted for 38.8 percent and foreigners 2.8 percent, CSE, Manager-Business Development, Tushara Jayaratne told Daily News Business.

“The All Share Price Index (ASPI) went up by 72 percent after the war. At present, there are 5,257 transactions per day. There were around 2,600 transactions during the first five months of 2009,” he said.

He said that the net foreign inflow from January to November 2009 was recorded in the beverage, food and tobacco, healthcare sector, investment trust sector, oil palm sector and stores supplies.

The interest rates offered by banks have decreased drastically and instead investing in the stock exchange can be introduced as a better solution for depositors. Hence Asha Phillip Securities Ltd. has conducted awareness campaigns in various districts of the country, Asha Phillip Securities Ltd., Director/CEO, Dimuthu Abeyesekera told Daily News Business.

He said that they have already visited 10 areas all over Sri Lanka. Asha Phillip Securities Ltd., will soon expand into the North and the East as well. Online trading facilities and qualified investment advice will be given to investors. With the end of the war in Sri Lanka, the ASPI has increased.

According to statistics of Asha Phillip Securities Ltd., the ASPI value was 1509.79 in December 2008 and it had reached 3290.46 up to now. With the end of the war, the ASPI which was at 2520.14 reached the highest ever record of 3280.8 in CSE history.

Foreign investments were high in August and October amounting to a net inflow of Rs. 2,121,392,834 and Rs. 1,338,690,550. The Milanka Price Index also reached 3770.71 from 2721.64 after the war, according to records.