Market down

Sri Lanka's benchmark share index lost for a fourth straight session on Thursday with a 1.34 percent fall as investors booked profits in diversified and banking shares after a recent surge, analysts said.

Sri Lanka's main share index closed 91.93 points weaker at 6,770.74.

The bourse was driven down by blue chips led by a 1.5 percent fall in market heavyweight John Keells Holdings and 1.6 percent drop in private lender Hatton National Bank.

Market turnover was 2.6 billion rupees ($23.3 million), more than four times the 2009 average. Foreign investors sold a net 282.7 million rupees in shares and they have overall sold 17.5 billion rupees' worth this year.

Reuters