The Colombo bourse moved up sharply yesterday with the All Share gaining 73.32 points (2.57%) while the Milanka was up 95.04 points (2.95%) on a turnover of Rs.283.6 million, down from Rs.521 million the previous day with brokers reporting a paucity of selling.

"The turnover tells the story that there were few sellers although there were sharp gains in several stocks including Aitken Spence, up Rs.32.75, Tokyo, up Rs.9.75 and Chemanex, up Rs.9," a broker said.

Chevron Lubricants which moved up on Wednesday on the back of a one for one share split announcement gained another Rs.8.75 to close at Rs.188 on nearly 0.2 million shares done between Rs.188 and Rs.198 generating the day’s top turnover of Rs.30.2 million.

Asiri was next best in turnover terms gaining Rs.3 to close at Rs.93 on over 0.2 million shares traded between Rs.89 and Rs.93.75 generating Rs.21.1 million turnover.

In a day where turnover was thin Dialog saw over 2.7 million shares done between Rs.6.75 and Rs.7.50 gaining 50 cents to close at Rs.7.25 while CIC was up a rupee to close at Rs.58.25 on nearly 0.3 million shares done between Rs.56 and Rs.58.25.

According to Stock Exchange statistics, there were 114 gainers against 18 losers yesterday.

Brokers said that the news of General Sarath Fonseka’s resignation reached the market before trading closed although there was no word on how stock market players reacted to this development.