With political uncertainty continuing to impinge on the bourse, thereby causing selling pressure, market turnover registered on Thursday was Rs 51.5 million, of which foreign purchases were Rs 1.2 million and foreign sales, Rs 11.3 million.

‘The uncertain political situation continued to haunt the Colombo Stock Market..once again the bears took control..after a session of sustained selling today,’ was how a Bartleet Mallory Stockbrokers (BMS) report described Thursday’s trading. Both indices saw double digit declines on a day where price declines outnumbered advances by a margin of 42 to 17, it said. Meanwhile, among the main contributors to the day’s turnover were DFCC Bank, Rs 18.4 million on a share volume of 118,900. Of this figure, foreign sales amounted to Rs 9.3 million. The closing price of a DFCC share was Rs 155.50, up by 50 cents over the previous day’s closing price.

Hayleys, Rs 6.8 million on a share volume of 52,400. Hayleys closed at Rs 130.50, Rs 1.50 less than the previous day’s closing price. NDB, Rs 6.7 million on a share volume of 95,700. Of this amount, foreign sales comprised Rs 1.7 million. NDB closed at Rs 67, Rs 4 less than the previous day’s closing price.

JKH, Rs four million on a share volume of 67,400. JKH closed at Rs 57, Rs 2.25 less than the previous day’s closing price. NDB Bank Ltd (NBL), Rs 2.6 million on a share volume of 170,400. NBL closed at Rs 15.25, 50 cents less than the previous day’s closing price. Commercial Bank (non voting), Rs 1.6 million on a share volume of 14,800. Commercial closed at Rs 112, Rs 3 less than the previous day’s closing price. Asian Hotels, Rs 1.2 million on a share volume of 154,600. Asian closed at Rs 7.50, 50 cents less than the previous day’s closing price. Among the losers were Ceylon Brewery, down by Rs 5 to close at Rs 55 on a volume of 200 shares. Central Finance, down by Rs 4.75 to close at Rs 50.25 on a share volume of 8,600; Commercial Bank, down by Rs 4 to close at Rs 177 on a share volume of 2,900 and Sampath Bank, down by Rs 4 to close at Rs 64 on a share volume of 5,000.

Among the gainers were Richard Pieris, up by Rs 5 to close at Rs 105 on a share volume of 100 and Ceylon Oxygen, up by Rs 1 to close at Rs 80 on a share volume of 11,800. The whole transaction involving Oxygen’s shares comprised foreign purchases. Meanwhile, Sunshine Holidays announced a 15% first and final dividend with excluding dividend date fixed for September 2 and payment date, September 12.