Sri Lanka stocks fell on Tuesday in thin volume selling of small counters across the board as retail investors took profits after recent gains, brokers said.
The Colombo all-share index fell 0.19 percent, or 2.75 points, to 1,448.48. The bourse has gained more than 36 percent so far this year on upbeat company earnings.
"It could also be that some retailers are shifting out of some stocks that are under-performing," said one broker, referring to recent selling in small and rarely traded stocks.
Keells Food Products Ltd fell 8.74 percent to 23.50 rupees.
Rubber manufacturer Statcon Ltd fell 5.97 percent to 15.75 rupees.
Colombo Fort Investment Ltd fell 5.56 percent to 29.75 rupees.
Total market turnover was 132.4 million rupees, with foreign purchases of 24.4 million rupees and foreign selling of 7.1 million rupees.