Sri Lankan shares closed steady on Thursday ahead of a long weekend, with investors awaiting the national budget presentation and the central bank's policy rate decision. The Colombo stock index closed 0.04 percent weaker at 6,621.47. The index rose 0.1 percent for the week. Both currency and stock markets will be closed for a Buddhist holiday on Friday. Market heavyweight John Keells Holdings posted a 1 percent fall in its September-quarter net profit.
Foreign investors bought shares net worth 148.6 million rupees ($967,763), extending the year-to-date net inflows to 20.4 billion rupees in equities. The session's turnover was 992.1 million rupees, higher than this year's average daily turnover of 942.8 million rupees.