Sri Lankan stocks hit over three-month high

Sri Lankan shares rose for a second straight session on Friday and hit their highest close in more than three months, helped by retail buying in blue-chip stocks. The Colombo stock index ended 0.45 percent firmer at 6,572.29, its highest close since November 8, 2017. The bourse rose 0.8 percent during the week recording its third straight weekly gain.
"Retail buying helped boost the market," said Prashan Fernando CEO at Acuity Stockbrokers. Foreign buying in Softlogic Holdings by a middle eastern fund and speculation over Swarnamahal Finance Services Plc, which is facing financial difficulties, getting a business partner to continue the business, helped retail interest, he added.