A surge in foreign activity on the Colombo bourse in April, largely on account of the sale of the NTT stake in SLT, lifted turnover on the CSE during the month to Rs.46.3 billion from Rs.9.47 billion in March and from Rs.4.2 billion a year earlier, monthly statistics published by the CSE revealed.

``It was a foreign `in’ and foreign `out’ deal,’’ explained a broker. ``NTT of Japan sold out and Maxis of Malaysia came into SLT.’’

Domestic activity in April was worth Rs.5.8 billion, approximately the same as in the previous month, and up from Rs.1.6 billion a year earlier. Foreign activity at Rs.40.5 billion, up from Rs.3.9 billion in March, provided the impetus to the high turnover in a holiday month.

Both the All Share and the Milanka price indices gained during April with the All Share up 3.23 % at the end of the month while the Milanka was up 1.76%.