PHOTO
A broker looks at a computer screen showing the movement of the market since the morning opening, at the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka March 9, 2016. Image used for illustrative purpose only. Dinuka Liyanawatte, Reuters
Sri Lankan shares closed lower for a fifth straight session on Friday, as losses in financial stocks weighed.
* The CSE All Share index settled down 0.09% at 10,610.53.
* For the week, the index fell 1.4% after logging two straight weekly gains.
* The International Monetary Fund's staff visit underway in Sri Lanka aims to discuss recent developments, and a review of the country's program will take place at a later date, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said on Thursday.
* LOLC Finance PLC and Sri Lanka Telecom PLC were the top losers on the CSE All Share, falling 2.08% and 1.11%, respectively.
* Trading volume on the CSE All Share index fell to 24.9 million shares from 25.7 million shares in the previous session.
* The equity market's turnover fell to 567.8 million Sri Lankan rupees ($1.76 million) from 668.9 million rupees in the previous session, according to exchange data.
* Foreign investors were net sellers, offloading stocks worth 112.6 million rupees, while domestic investors were net buyers, purchasing shares worth 543.2 million rupees, the data showed.
* For a report on global markets, click ($1 = 322.0000 Sri Lankan rupees) (Reporting by Ashish Chandra in Bengaluru; Editing by Eileen Soreng)
