The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) began the trading week on a positive note yesterday (16), with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closing higher amid strong domestic participation.

The ASPI rose to 23,900.11 up from 23,709.84 recorded on the previous trading day, according to official market statistics for 16 February. Total market turnover reached 5,634,645,530 rupees, while overall market capitalisation stood at 8,469,933,330,319 rupees.

Trading activity was driven largely by local investors. Domestic purchases amounted to 5,533,889,096 rupees, compared with domestic sales of 5,366,235,594 rupees. Foreign investors recorded purchases of 100,756,434 rupees and sales of 268,409,936 rupees during the session.

A total of 243,768,003 shares changed hands during the day, including 237,620,973 shares traded by domestic investors and 6,147,030 shares by foreign participants. The number of trades executed stood at 43,511, of which 43,175 were domestic and 336 were foreign trades.

Sector-wise activity covered banks, diversified financials, food and beverage, energy, insurance, real estate, retailing, telecommunication services and utilities, indicating broad-based participation across listed counters.