Gains in selected blue chips pushed the indices higher.

Index heavy weighted Dialog Telecom was the main contributor for today’s positive close of the CSE indices. Dialog closed at Rs 8.50, up 25 cents. Aitken Spence Plc was up by 49.00 rupees to close at Rs 1499.25 while Lanka IOC Plc (LIOC) the local unit of Indian Oil Company closed 2.50 higher at Rs 21.75.

The All Share Index closed at 4242.67, up 13.27 points. Milanka Index of highly liquid stocks was up by 32.09 points to close the day at 4774.2. The total equity turnover for the day was 1.18 billion rupees.

Ceylon Tea Services Plc gained Rs 47.50 to close at Rs 562.50 while Ceylon Cold Stores Plc the Elephant Brand soft drink maker closed at Rs 243.50, up 24.75.

Retail investors were shifting their investments from high valued stocks to lower valued stocks. Good demand was seen on plantation stocks too. Kegall Plantations Plc was up by 2.50 to close at Rs 72.25 while Kotagala Plantations Plc was up by one rupee to close at Rs 66.00. Balangoda Plantations Plc closed at Rs 37.75, up 50 cents.

There were 66 positive contributors & 65 negative contributors for the day. The Bukit Darah Plc lost 147.00 rupees to close at Rs 4553.00 but only 100 shares traded. Environmental Resources Investments Plc was dipped by four rupees to close the day at Rs 87.25.