The Colombo Stock Exchange rose for a third consecutive session on 5 November 2026, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) closing above the 21,000 level.

The ASPI gained 589.18 points, or 2.87%, to close at 21,130.30. The S&P SL20 index, which tracks 20 large companies, rose 3.34% to 6,029.88.

Turnover was Rs. 5.43 billion, with 258.33 million shares traded. The banking sector led activity with turnover of about Rs. 1.10 billion, and Sampath Bank had the highest turnover of any single counter at Rs. 691.83 million.

Crossings accounted for about 20% of total equity turnover. They were led by Lanka Milk Foods, Cargills Bank, Tokyo Cement and Royal Ceramics.

There were 227 gainers against 32 decliners, giving an advance-decline ratio of 7.09. Foreign investors were net sellers, with an outflow of about Rs. 227.93 million.

Commercial Bank was the biggest positive contributor to the ASPI, followed by Dialog Axiata, Hayleys, LOLC Holdings and Overseas Realty. Ceylinco Insurance made the largest negative contribution.

Background

The ASPI measures the movement in the prices of all ordinary shares listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. It is the index most often quoted in daily market reports. The S&P SL20 follows a narrower group of 20 large and actively traded companies, so it can move by a different amount on the same day.

A crossing is a large trade in which a buyer and a seller agree the deal in advance and it is then recorded on the exchange. Because such trades can be big, they can account for a noticeable share of a day’s turnover without reflecting the broader buying and selling by investors.

The advance-decline ratio compares the number of shares that rose with the number that fell. A figure above 1 means more shares gained than lost. On 5 November, 227 shares rose and 32 fell, which gives the ratio of 7.09. Net foreign selling means that foreign investors sold more shares than they bought over the session.

The index rose 589.18 points on the day, which implies a previous close of 20,541.12.

What it means

Movements in the ASPI change the market value of shares held by investors, including individuals, companies and funds that hold listed shares. A rise in the index does not by itself change the value of deposits, wages or prices, and daily moves in either direction can reverse.

Readers who invest through the exchange can check the day’s closing figures, turnover and foreign flows on the Colombo Stock Exchange website or through their stockbroker before making decisions.