Sri Lankan shares ended slightly firmer on Friday with block deals in blue chips pushing up the day's turnover to a more than three-week high, although political uncertainty dampened investor appetite for risk assets, stockbrokers said.
The market has been waiting for signs of political stability after President Maithripala Sirisena suspended parliament until May 8. A cabinet reshuffle was expected on Monday, but government sources said it had been delayed.
Fitch Ratings said on Thursday that recent political developments in Sri Lanka have created some uncertainty over reform momentum and fiscal consolidation, and prolonged upheaval could undermine investor confidence ahead of large external debt maturities in 2019-22.
The Colombo stock index ended 0.14 percent firmer at 6,531.06. The index lost 0.15 percent on week. Shares of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka Plc closed 4.3 percent higher, while Lanka ORIX Leasing Company Plc rose 1.6 percent.
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