The Colombo Bourse continued its downward trend for the third consecutive day, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) falling by 162.88 points or 1.48% today (09) to close at 10,824.24 points.

This marks the first time the ASPI has dropped below the 11,000 points mark since July 26, 2023, nearly three months ago.

The market's mid-day trading session saw a steep decline, with the ASPI plummeting to 10,726.75 points, sparking concerns among investors. However, there were signs of a recovery towards the end of the trading day.

In addition to the ASPI, the S&P SL20 index, which tracks the performance of the top 20 listed companies in Sri Lanka, also experienced a significant drop. The S&P SL20 index was down by 53.10 points or 1.71%, closing at 3,047.70 points.

The day's turnover on the CSE amounted to Rs. 1.09 billion, reflecting a mix of buying and selling activity among investors. Despite the overall decline, 25 companies managed to contribute positively to the main index, while a staggering 153 counters ended in the red.

Among the notable contributors to the ASPI's decline were some of Sri Lanka's major companies, including Commercial Bank, National Development Bank, Melstacorp, Expolanka Holdings, and John Keells Holdings.