Sri Lanka stocks closed lower on Wednesday (20), ending a five-day rally amid profit taking.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) decreased by 45.81 points or 0.97% to close at 4,655.22. The S&P SL20 Index of more liquid stocks went up by 0.93 % or 17.49 points to 1,904.14.

Market turnover was recorded at Rs.1.51 billion. Foreign purchases amounted to Rs.129.11 million and foreign sales accounted to Rs.776 million.

The ASPI reached its intraday high of 4,760 within the first few minutes of trading and later moved downwards and met with its intraday low of 4,633 before closing at 4,655.

Shares of Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Browns Investments, John Keells Holdings, Sampath Bank and Hemas Holdings positively contributed to the index whilst Ceylon Tobacco Company, Dialog Axiata, Melstacorp, Bukit Darah and Sri Lanka Telecom negatively contributed to the ASPI.