Sri Lankan shares end steady in thin volume

Sri Lankan shares ended steady on Friday as positive sentiment after an IMF loan approval offset concerns over rising interest rattes and foreign fund outflows. Turnover was 275.1 million rupees ($1.90 million), the lowest since March 19, and less than half of this year's daily average of around 773.2 million rupees. The benchmark Colombo stock index ended 0.04 percent higher at 6,530.50. It posted a weekly gain of 0.17 percent, snapping three straight weeks of losses. Ceylon Tobacco Company Plc rose 0.38 percent, while Sri Lanka Telecom Plc gained 1 percent.