Sri Lankan shares edged lower on Monday, falling for a fourth straight session to end at their lowest close in more than five months, as investors continued to stay on the sidelines looking for fresh cues. The Colombo stock index ended 0.04 percent weaker at 6,352.61, its lowest close since December 26. The bourse fell 0.7 percent last week recording a third straight weekly fall.
"The market was very slow with weak investor sentiment and things continue to remain low," said Dimantha Mathew, head of research, First Capital Holdings. Most investors have adopted a wait-and-watch approach, hoping for some positive news on the economic front, analysts said.
Turnover was 393.9 million rupees ($2.48 million), less than half of this year's daily average of 970.2 million rupees. Foreign investors bought net 59.6 million rupees worth of equities on Monday. The market, however, has witnessed a year-to-date net foreign outflow of 494.9 million rupees worth of shares.