Sri Lankan shares hit two-week high

Sri Lankan shares rose to a two-week closing high on Friday, led by diversified and banking stocks, but trading was thin as investors waited for more clarity on the political and economic front. The Colombo stock index ended 0.29 percent firmer at 6,492.06, its highest close since May 4. It rose 0.2 percent this week, in its first weekly gain in four. Turnover was 433.3 million rupees ($2.75 million), less than half of this year's daily average of 998.6 million rupees.
Foreign investors net sold equities worth 51.4 million rupees, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 798.8 million rupees worth of shares. Shares of conglomerate John Keells Holding Plc rose 2.7 percent, while Lanka ORIX Leasing Company Plc ended up 0.1 percent. Lanka IOC ended 3.3 percent firmer.