Foreign investors bought 138.84 million rupees worth of shares and sold 97.91 million rupees worth of stocks, according to Colombo Stock Exchange figures.
Conglomerate John Keells Holdings was the toast of the market, mostly on account of foreign buying interest, but the counter closed flat at 144.75 rupees on volumes of 697,200 shares.
Indian fuel retailer Lanka IOC added 0.8 percent to 33.25 rupees on 1.7 million trades as investors were cashing in on the news that the company was expected to ink a deal next week to settle 5.16 billion rupees due from the Sri Lankan government for selling fuel below costs.
Elsewhere, Commercial Bank gained 0.7 percent to 174.00 rupees, while market heavyweight Dialog Telekom was flat at 22.25 rupees.
Looking ahead, dealers expect a drop in earnings in the December quarter, as they expect the November 17 budget to increases taxes on banks and corporates.
“Deposit mobilization and the energy cost issue will also be an impact on earnings in the December quarter,” a broker said.
The Milanka Price Index, which tracks 25 liquid stocks, shed 0.52 percent or 16.31 points to close at 3,123.75.
In the foreign exchange markets, the rupee softened against the U.S. dollar to close at 104.94 from Monday’s close of 104.88 as importers bought dollars to settle trade bills.
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