Sri Lankan shares rose on Thursday and marked their highest close in nearly three weeks, led by market heavyweight John Keells Holdings, as foreign buying boosted sentiment. The Colombo stock index ended 0.36 percent firmer at 6,183.02, its highest close since June 29. Turnover stood at 634.7 million rupees ($3.97 million), less than this year's daily average of 887.7 million rupees.
Foreign investors bought net equities worth 73.7 million rupees on Thursday, but they have been net sellers of stocks worth 2.6 billion rupees in the year so far. Shares in conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc rose 1.5 percent while biggest listed lender Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc gained 2.1 percent and Nestle Lanka Plc ended 2.1 percent higher.