Sri Lankan stocks rose 0.4 percent on Tuesday, helped by foreign buying and on hopes for political stability, brokers said.
"There were rumours in the market that a Tamil political party will cross over to the government, which improved investor confidence," said one broker referring to a minority ruling government that has struggled to pass legislation since its election in April from lack of a majority vote in parliament.
The key Colombo all-share index ended up 0.35 percent, or 4.89 points, at 1,396.31.
The Milanka index - which tracks the more liquid and highly capitalised stocks - rose 0.43 percent, or 9.03 points, to 2,110.42.
Total turnover was 498 million rupees with 188 million rupees in foreign sales and 227 million rupees in foreign purchases.
Conglomerate John Keells Holdings led market activity and rose 0.23 percent to 107.50 rupees on 164 million rupees of foreign buying.
Distilleries Co of Sri Lanka Ltd rose 3.36 percent to 30.75 rupees.
Development bank DFCC Bank Ltd rose 0.89 percent to 227 rupees on 26 million rupees of foreign buying.
Colombo Fort Land and Building Company Ltd ended up 4.11 percent at 19 rupees.
Commodity exporter C W Mackie and Co Ltd rose 12.12 percent to 27.75 rupees.