Sri Lankan stocks ended down on Friday on selling in The Bukit Darah Co Ltd, but most blue chips edged higher on light retail buying one week from the island's general election.
The key Colombo all-share index closed down 1.75 percent, or 23.46, at 1,320, but the Milanka index of blue chip stocks rose 0.25 percent, or 5.03 points, to 1,982.76.
Bukit Darah, a palm oil plantation company, fell 21.77 percent, or 667.75 rupees, to 2,400 rupees after retail speculation pushed up to over 5,000 rupees in the week.
"It's been keeping the indices volatile," said one broker.
Conglomerate John Keells Holdings Ltd led market turnover with about 143,000 shares changing hands, and rose 0.46 percent, or 0.50 rupees, to 109 rupees.
Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd gained 1.39 percent, or 0.25 rupees, to 18.25 rupees.
"There is a bit of retail buying, but we've yet to see a big rally in the market.