Sri Lanka stocks rose on Thursday on renewed interest in blue chips a day ahead of the island's general election, with foreign activity boosting volumes.
The key Colombo all-share index closed up 0.63 percent, or 8.05 points, at 1,292.27.
"People are taking positions now and hoping the market will go up after the election," said one broker at John Keells Stockbrokers.
The market would favour a win for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP), which presided over a return to economic growth, but he is locked in a tight race with a leftist coalition led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
Conglomerate John Keells Holdings Ltd gained 0.45 percent, or 0.50 rupees, to 111.50 rupees, while Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd led market turnover of 278.9 million rupees and traded flat at 18.50 rupees. Telecom also accounted for the bulk of 123 million rupees of foreign selling in the market. Foreign purchases were just 6.5 million rupees.
Banking stocks also rose, with Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd gaining 2.22 percent, or 3.50 rupees, to 161 rupees and Nations Trust Bank Ltd picking up 4.95 percent, or 1.25 rupees, to 26.50 rupees.
The market is up nearly 22 percent this year despite a period of volatility after the snap election was called in early February.
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