COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, August 15, 2025 (ePRESS) – The Colombo Stock Exchange saw strong investor activity and rising confidence on Friday, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) jumping 290 points to close at 20,218, crossing the 20,000 mark for the first time in history.
This fresh all-time high came as the index maintained steady gains throughout the session. Commercial Bank (COMB), DFCC Bank, LOLC Holdings, Nations Trust Bank (NTB), and Sampath Bank (SAMP) were the top positive contributors to the rally.
Analysts said strong interim earnings from most banking stocks boosted buying interest in the sector, which accounted for 22% of the day’s turnover. Capital Goods and Diversified Financials followed, together making up 39% of the total.
Turnover surged to LKR 9.5 billion, up 49% from the monthly average of LKR 6.4 billion, with increased participation from both retail and high-net-worth investors.
However, foreign investors remained net sellers, recording an outflow of LKR 18.8 million, according to First Capital Research.
