Sri Lankan stocks fell on Thursday, weighed down by political worries ahead of national elections early next month.
The key Colombo all-share index ended down 0.98 percent, or 12.12 points, at 1,228.6, with turnover of 123.2 million rupees.
Brokers said many investors were taking a wait and see attitude, with a general election on April 2 and a split in the Tamil Tiger rebels raising fears for the future of the island's peace process.
Conglomerate John Keells Holdings Ltd, which led trading for a third day, fell 0.90 percent to 110 rupees.
The diversified company, which has holdings ranging from supermarkets to ports, said on Wednesday it was divesting its stake in a plantation management company jointly owned with Richard Pieris and Co Ltd for $4.81 million.
"It's part of Keells restructuring and streamlining. I don't think the market will view it negatively at all, but we'll wait to see what they do with that cash," said one broker.
Richard Peiris lost 2.06 percent, or two rupees, to 95 rupees.
Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd, the largest stock by market capitalisation, slipped 1.39 percent, or 0.25 rupees, to 17.75 rupees.
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