Jan 31, Colombo: Sri Lanka stocks dipped on the last day of January at the Colombo Bourse as investors cashed in their recent gains offsetting the rise in blue chip shares notably of John Keellls holdings.

The main Colombo All Share Price Index dipped 4.62 points or 0.16% to close at 2,924.25 while the more volatile and highly capitalized Milanka Price Index ended lower by 27.05 points or 0.67% at 4,040.35. The turnover was above average at 870.8 million rupees with foreign purchases of 417.1 million rupees and foreign sales of nearly 555 million rupees. The trading volume closed at 15.8 million shares.

Conglomerate John Keells Holdings dominated the turnover today with 473.8 million rising 0.49% to close at 204.00 rupees in a trade of 2.32 million shares. Tokyo Cement rose another 2.27% to 225.25 rupees trading 342,300 shares. The fixed-line operator Sri Lanka Telecom remained flat at 32.50 rupees trading 385,300 shares while mobile operator Dialog Telekom fell 1.80% to 27.25 rupees trading 122,900 shares. Fuel giant Lanka IOC climbed 0.79% to close at 32.00 rupees trading 1.18 million shares.

Other major contributors to the turnover included Pelwatte Sugar (700,100), Distilleries (167,700), CIC (149,300), Asha Central (319,800), Kelani Tyres (426,600), Nawaloka Hospitals (3,130,0000, CF Venture Fund (408,400), Ceylinco Seylan (803,000), Fortress Resorts (417,100), Royal Ceramics (1,109,400), Taj Lanka (226,900), Lankem Developments (155,500), John Keels Hotels (143,200) and Sierra Cables (546,700).

Construction and Engineering and Motors sectors gained above a percent while Telecommunication and Trading sectors fell below a percent.

Cargills gained 250.00 rupees or 11.52% to top the gainer’s list. The other top gainers included Fortress Resorts (10.00%), Central Industries (9.75%), CF Venture Fund (7.69%) and Radiant Gems (7.69%).

Tess Agro lost 8.33% placing it at the top of the loser’s list. The other top losers included Three Acre Farms (-4.55%), Kelsey Developments (-4.50%), Namunukula Plantations (-4.29%) and Kelani Tyres (-4.21%).

Rupee ended slightly firmer against the dollar today according to the Central Bank figures buying at 108.07 rupees and selling at 109.13. Colombo markets will be closed tomorrow in observance of the Navam Full Moon Poya Holiday.