Sri Lanka’s stock market rallied to a historic high on Friday (1), with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) surging by 271.77 points to close at a record 19,914.25, marking a 1.38% gain.

The S&P SL20 Index, which tracks the 20 largest and most liquid stocks, outpaced the broader market with a sharp 2.30% increase, gaining 132.58 points to settle at 5,894.75.

Trading activity was robust, with turnover reaching Rs. 7.37 billion and over 416.7 million shares changing hands, underscoring strong investor participation.

Market momentum was driven by notable gains in blue-chip stocks, with Hatton National Bank PLC, John Keells Holdings, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, DFCC Bank PLC, and NDB PLC emerging as the top contributors to the ASPI’s upward trajectory.