The downturn on the Colombo bourse continued yesterday although turnover looked up at Rs.940.8 million, up from the previous day’s Rs.570.6 million, with both indices falling fairly steeply – the All Share by 47.88 points (1.65%) and the Milanka by 34.33 points (1.06%).

Decliners far outpaced advancers with the CSE reporting that only five counters gained against 140 that dropped. However, a broker’s websites reported a few more advancers than the CSE.

"The fall in the indices was less steep than the previous day and turnover was at a fairly satisfactory level with JKH and Browns generating the major business volumes," Prashan Fernando of Acuity Stockbrokers said.

JKH saw nearly 3.3 million shares traded between Rs.135 and Rs.138.50 losing 75 cents to close at Rs.137.75 generating Rs.448.6 million turnover.

Browns dropped Rs.3 to Rs.68.25 on nearly 0.8 million shares done between Rs.68 and Rs.73.25 contributing Rs.60.5 million turnover.

Brokers said that there was one big crossing of 3 million JKH at a price of Rs.137 but there was no word on buyers and sellers. Browns saw a single trade of nearly 0.7 million shares at Rs.72.

Some banking stocks like ComBank (both voting and non-voting) and Sampath were up slightly – ComBank gaining 50 cents to close at Rs.168 on nearly 0.2 million shares, Sampath up 50 cents to close at Rs.173 on slightly over 0.1 million shares and ComBank X up Rs.2.25 to close at Rs.113 on 45,600 shares.

DFCC closed flat at Rs.143 on 45,700 shares while NDB lost Rs.2.50 to close at Rs.172 on 0.1 million shares, NTB lost 25 cents to close at Rs.34.75 on over 0.6 million shares and Seylan X lost 50 cents to close at Rs.16.50 on nearly a million shares.