Regular trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) was temporarily halted for 30 minutes from 1.01 p.m to 1.31 p.m today (02) as S&P SL20 index dropped by 5% during the trading session.

S&P SL20 index fell by 171 points to 3,267.75 and the All Share Price Index (ASPI) also fell by 371.24 points to 8,195.83.

However, when regular trading at the CSE recommenced at 1.31 p.m, the ASPI was down by 404.95 points to 8,162.12 while S&P SL20 index indicated a fall of 180.46 points to 3,258.69.

This is a decline of 4.73% and 5.25%, respectively, in comparison to the last trading day.