"There was a slight improvement in sentiment from the previous day," Prashan Fernando of Acuity Stockbrokers said. "There were three large crossings of Hemas Holdings at a price of Rs.125 that accounted for the total trades in the counter.’’

Brokers had no word on who the buyers and sellers were but said that the whole quantity traded was accounted for with three large parcels at the Rs.125 price.

Dockyard with slightly over 0.5 million shares traded gained a rupee to close at Rs.175 on a trading range of Rs.174.25 and Rs.176.50 accounting for the day’s second biggest turnover of Rs.91 million.

Janashakthi, with a dividend of Rs. 2 per share pending, edged down 25 cents on over 4.8 million shares done between Rs.12.50 and Rs.12.75 to close at Rs.12.50 contributing Rs.60.4 million turnover.

Chevron Lubricants which announced a share split of two shares for every one held gained Rs.13.50 to close at Rs.188 on over 0.1 million shares done between Rs.183.25 and Rs.200.25.

Sampath was down 25 cents to Rs.173 on 72,300 shares done between

Rs.173 and Rs.175 while Tokyo gained Rs.4.50 to close at Rs.210 on 51,700 shares traded.

Dialog closed flat at Rs.6.75 on over 0.8 million shares done between Rs.6.50 and Rs.7 while Vallibel too closed flat at Rs.4.70 on 0.9 million shares done between Rs.4.70 and Rs.4.80.

Brokers said some foreign fund managers were in town but did not commit themselves on whether this signaled more foreign activity in the Colombo market.