Colombo bourse welcomed the announcement of the general election on a positive note on Monday. The ASI reported mild gains on another lackluster trading session as most of the investors continue to remain on sidelines, assessing the current political developments. The much awaited decision on dissolving the parliament was announced on last Friday and the general election is due to be held on 17th August 2015.

All share price index advanced by 15.95 index points or +0.23% in todays’ session to end at 7,032.15 while S&P SL 20 index advanced by 11.37 points (+0.29%) to end at 3,911.96. The gains were mainly fuelled by price appreciations in blue chips such as Dialog Axiata (closed at LKR 10.60, +1.9%), Sri Lanka Telecom (closed at LKR 45.00, +1.1%) and Access Engineering (closed at LKR 23.50, +4%).

Daily market turnover recorded a nearly one week low of LKR 394mn. Several negotiated deals were recorded in Cargills (0.4mn shares at LKR 143.00 per share) and Aitken Spence (0.3mn shares at LKR 100.00 per share). Total crossings accounted for 24% of the market turnover.

Laugfs Gas positioned at the top of the turnover list with LKR 59mn followed by Cargills (LKR 50mn), Laugfs gas non-voting (LKR 39mn) and Aitken Spence (LKR 28mn).

Out of 244 counters traded 121 advanced 64 slipped while 59 counters remained unchanged. Cash map inclined to 67% from 29%. 07 counters declined to 52wk low prices while 02 counters touched 52wk high prices.

Shares of Access Engineering, Anilana Hotels & Properties, Nation Lanka Finance and Vallibel Finance were among heavily traded counters. Nation Lanka Finance declined to 52wk low price of LKR 2.30.
Further rights of Marawila Resorts commenced trading today and touched a high of LKR 0.50 but closed lower at LKR 0.20.

Foreign investors turned to be net buyers with a net inflow of LKR 26mn after three consecutive days of net foreign outflows. Foreign participation was at 19%. Net foreign inflows were seen in Laugfs Gas Holdings (LKR 59mn), Commercial Credit & Finance (LKR 19mn) and Commercial Bank (LKR 5mn) while net foreign outflow was mainly seen in Laugfs Gas Holdings non-voting (LKR 39mn).

Printcare declared a final dividend of LKR 3.00 per share during the session while Kelani Cables declared an interim dividend of LKR 3.00 per share. Following to the dividend announcement Kelani Cables advanced and closed at LKR 107.50, +3.4%. However despite the dividend announcement, Printcare declined and closed at LKR 42.00, -0.9%.

Lanka Securities Research