Sri Lankan shares closed down on Monday partly owing to the customary month-end profit taking by retailers, while a US government travel warning dampened investor spirits, brokers said.

The benchmark Colombo All Share Price Index closed down 0.50 percent (12.14 points) to end at 2,439.87, Monday while the Milanka index of liquid stocks lost 0.72 percent (19.67 points) to close at 2,707.79.

Turnover was 563.4 million rupees.

This is part of the month-end profit taking mainly by retailers.

Dialog Telekom, a unit of Telekom Malaysia, closed at 5.00 rupees, down 25 cents.

Conglomerate John Keells Holdings closed at 137.00 rupees, up 1.00.

Aitken Spence Hotels closed at 149.75 rupees, down 25 cents, while Confifi Hotels closed at 110.25 rupees, down 2.75, on slim volumes.

Eden Hotels closed at 22.00 rupees, down 50 cents, while , Galadari closed at 12.75 rupees, down 50 cents.

Mahaweli Reach Hotel closed at 19.00 rupees, down 1.00, while The Light House closed at 66.00 rupees, down 2.00.

Trans Asia Hotel closed at 109.00 rupees, down 1.00.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon closed at 136.00 rupees, down 25 cents, while National Development Bank closed at 151.50 rupees, up 25 cents.

Sri Lanka Telecom closed at 49.50 rupees, up 50 cents.