"Overall the market was very bullish although the hotel sector which had been running for a few days was down on profit taking," Prashan Fernando of Acuity Stockbrokers said.

Yesterday’s big turnover generators were JKH, up Rs.2.75 to close at Rs.142.50 on over 0.6 million shares done between Rs.140 and Rs.143.25, and Sampath Bank up Rs.11.75 to Rs.175 on over 0.4 million shares done between Rs.164 and Rs.175.

"There were unconfirmed rumours that Sampath had either sold or was on the verge of selling an asset in Bangladesh,’’ brokers said. ``This pushed the share up.’’

Profit taking selling interest was coming in at current high price levels and analysts expected an adjustment but did not say when it could be.

Colombo Dockyard too did nicely gaining Rs.10.50 to close at Rs.159.75 on over 0.4 million shares done between Rs.149.75 and Rs.160 while CT Land was up Rs.1.75 to Rs.23.50 on over 2.6 million shares done between Rs.22 and Rs.24.25.

DFCC Bank gained Rs.7.50 to Rs.147.25 on over 0.3 million shares done between Rs.140.50 and Rs.147.50.

Brokers reported substantial interest in Associated Cables, up Rs.9.25 to Rs.66.50 on nearly 0.8 million shares done between Rs.58.50 and Rs.66.50.

Several hotel counters in which there was recent investor interest were down though mostly on thin volumes.

Dialog lost 25 cents and closed at Rs.6 on nearly 7.9 million done between Rs.6 and Rs.6.50.

Ceylon Investments announced a share buy back on a ratio of one for five at a price of Rs.189 per share subject to shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting.