Sri Lankan shares rose for a second straight session on Thursday and closed at their highest level in two weeks as local investors bought beaten-down stocks. The benchmark share index ended 0.78 percent firmer at 6,068.17, its highest close since March 2.
However, foreign investors sold 614.9 million rupees ($4.24 million) worth of shares on Thursday, the highest outflow since February 19, amid concerns over a higher budget deficit and economic growth. Offshore investors have dumped 1.27 billion rupees worth of shares so far this year.
Turnover stood at 1.49 billion rupees ($10.3 million), more than double this year's daily average of 791.6 million rupees.
Shares in Sri Lanka Telecom Plc jumped 3.54 percent while John Keells Hotels Plc gained 4.27 percent and Nestle Lanka Plc rose 0.47 percent.