The Colombo bourse dipped yesterday with turnover down to Rs.724.4 million from the previous day’s Rs.1.2 billion and both indices also losing – the All Share by 12.70 points (0.36%) and the Milanka by 30.18 points (0.74%) with 69 decliners slightly outpacing 55 advancers according to Colombo Stock Exchange figures.

"There was a slight decline in most counters with interest seen in both Lion and Ceylon Breweries,’’ Prashan Fernando of Acuity Stockbrokers said. "Ceylon Breweries gained as much as Rs.21 to close at Rs.140 on 23,400 shares while Lion was up Rs.4 to close at Rs.81 on nearly 0.6 million shares traded between Rs.77.50 and Rs.86."

Yesterday’s top turnover generator was First Capital Holdings (previously CFVF), a Janashakthi company, where nearly 1.3 million shares were done between Rs.28.50 and Rs.43 gaining Rs.13.25 to close at Rs.41.50 contributing a turnover of Rs.52.5 million.

Brokers reported a retail run on this share.

Sampath Bank, with nearly 0.2 million shares traded gained Rs.5.50 to close at Rs.220 on a trading range of Rs.213.50 to Rs.220. There was one crossing of Sampath at a price of Rs.214, brokers said.

Retail interest in Brown & Company and Richard Pieris continued with Browns down 75 cents to Rs.85 on nearly 0.4 million shares and Richard Pieris was down Rs.1.25 to Rs.45 on slightly over 0.6 million shares.

NDB edged down 25 cents to close at Rs.202 on nearly 0.2 million shares while HNB lost 50 cents to close at Rs.172 on nearly 0.2 million shares.

People’s Merchant Bank announced that its one for two rights issue to raise Rs.250 million was over-subscribed on Tuesday.