Sri Lankan shares tumble

Sri Lankan shares closed at their lowest in more than eight months in thin trade on Wednesday ahead of the Christmas weekend, falling for a seventh straight session led by bluechips and large caps, stockbrokers said. The Colombo stock index ended 0.12 percent weaker at 6,227.34, its lowest close since April 6. The bourse has fallen 1.7 percent in seven straight sessions through Wednesday.
Turnover stood at 426.6 million rupees ($2.86 million), less than this year's daily average of around 743.3 million rupees. Foreign investors sold a net 97.1 million rupees worth of shares on Wednesday, but the bourse has seen year-to-date net foreign inflow of 600.4 million rupees worth into equities.