The downturn on the Colombo bourse continued yesterday with the All Share Price Index losing 23.92 points (0.83%) and the Milanka 17.11 points (0.53%) though on a turnover of Rs.828.5 million, up from Rs.709.7 million the previous day, with 3.3 million JKH generating Rs.452.9 million business volume.

JKH edged down 25 cents to close at Rs.137 on a trading range of Rs.135.75 to Rs.139.25. One parcel of 3 million was crossed local to local at Rs.139.25 above market, brokers said.

"When the trade was done shortly after 1 p.m., the market was at Rs.136," a broker said. "A similar large parcel of JKH was done on Monday also at the same price."

Dockyard which closed flat at Rs.174 on 0.5 million shares done between Rs.174 and Rs.177.50 generated the day’s second biggest turnover of Rs.89 million while Commercial Bank lost 50 cents to close at Rs.169 on over 0.2 million shares traded between Rs.168 and Rs.170.

Brokers said that interest in NTB continued with nearly 0.7 million shares done with the counter closing flat at Rs.34.75 trading between Rs.34.50 and Rs.35.25.

NDB weakened by Rs.5 to close at Rs.170 on slightly over 0.1 million shares done between Rs.169.50 and Rs.174 while HNB (non-voting) lost Rs.1.25 to close at Rs.81 on over 0.2 million shares traded between Rs.80 and Rs.83.50,

Janashakthi held its Rs.12.75 price closing flat at that level on nearly 0.9 million shares traded between Rs.12.50 and Rs.12.75 while Vallibel Power was up 10 cents to Rs.4.80 on over 1.7 million shares traded between Rs.4.60 and Rs.4.80.

Browns lost a rupee to close at Rs.69.75 on 0.1 million shares traded between Rs.69 and Rs.70.50 while Dialog edged down 25 cents to Rs.6.75 on over 0.9 million shares done between Rs.6.75 and Rs.7.

JKH announced a first interim dividend of Re.1 per share for 2009/10 trading XD from Nov.19 with payment on Nov. 30.

The CSE announced that it plans to add up to five new trading members in the first half of next year and will shortly publish an advertisement in this regard. The Exchange currently has 15 full members and 6 trading members licensed to trade in both equity and debt.