The Colombo bourse recovered yesterday after three straight days of steep declines although on a disappointing turnover of Rs.357.7 million, down from the previous day’s Rs.940.8 million.

The All Share Price Index was up 56.80 points (1.99%) while the Milanka gained 67.03 points (2.09%) with advancers heavily outpacing decliners by 144 to 11.

"It was a good recovery with the blue chips that had fallen earlier in the week regaining lost ground," Prashan Fernando of Acuity Stockbrokers said. "Many small and mid cap stock too gained Rs.2 to Rs.3 although the blue chips did much better."

Among the blue chip gainers were Carsons, up Rs.17.25 to close at Rs.330 on 10,000 shares, NDB up Rs.8 to close at Rs.180 on 45,500 shares, Commercial Bank, up Rs.6.75 to close at Rs.174.25 on over 0.1 million shares, Browns, up Rs.5 to close at Rs.74.25 on nearly 0.2 million shares and Hayleys, up Rs.5 to close at Rs.156 on 19,200 shares.

Janashakthi Insurance was the highest turnover generator gaining 25 cents to close at Rs.13 on nearly 2.5 million shares done between Rs.12.75 and Rs.13 contributing Rs.32.2 million to business volumes followed by Aitken Spence, up Rs.3.50 to Rs.895 with the share traded between Rs.880 and Rs.895 contributing Rs.27.9 million turnover.

NTB, up 50 cents to close at Rs.35.50, saw over 0.6 million shares done between Rs.35 and Rs.35.50 while Commercial Bank with over 0.1 million shares done traded between Rs.169 and Rs.176 gaining Rs.6.75 to close at Rs.174.25.

JKH was up Rs.3.25 to Rs.139.25 on over 0.1 million shares done between Rs.137.50 and Rs.140 while Pan Asia, a popular trading stock recently, was up Rs.1.50 to close at Rs.20.50 on 0.6 million shares traded between Rs.19 and Rs.20.50.

Ceylon Tobacco announced a third interim dividend of Rs.4.40 per share XD from Nov. 17 and payment on Nov. 24 while Cargills announced an interim dividend of 30 cents per share for 2009/10 XD from Nov. 13 and payment on Nov. 24.