The Colombo bourse declined marginally with the All Share Price Index losing 2.72 points (0.10%) and the Milanka dipping 1.92 points (0.06%) on a turnover of Rs.269.7 million, down from the previous day’s Rs.226.7 million.

"The market eased off slightly closing almost flat although both indices were up for most of the day," Prashan Fernando of DFCC Stockbrokers said.

Yesterday’s big trades included Distilleries, Ruhunu Hotels, Kelani Valley Plantations and East West.

Distilleries, with over 0.4 million shares done between Rs.107.75 and Rs.109 was up 25 cents to close at Rs.108.25 generating a turnover of Rs.46.3 million, the highest for the day. Brokers said that there were crossings on this counter at Rs.109.

Ruhunu Hotels, a Dhammika Perera company owning the Fortress Hotel in the south, saw over 3.5 million shares traded between Rs.6.75 and Rs.8 gaining 25 cents to close at Rs.7.25 and generating Rs. 25.78 million turnover. Here too there were crossings at Rs.8.

Kelani Valley with over 0.3 million shares traded between Rs.72 and Rs.75 gained 25 cents to close at Rs.74 with some crossings generating Rs.24.3 million to turnover.

East West too with 1.7 million shares traded between Rs.11.75 and Rs.12.75 gained 25 cents to close at Rs.12.50 contributing Rs.21.8 million to the day’s turnover.

Other shares that demonstrated quantity included Namunukula (over 0.3 million) losing 50 cents to close at Rs.47, Hotels Corporation (over 0.4 million) closing flat at Rs.26, Lankem (0.1 million), Kelani Tyres (over 0.1 million) and Colombo Fort Lands (nearly 0.2 million).