Sri Lankan shares hit over 3-week closing high in lean trade

COLOMBO, Sept 4 (Reuters): Sri Lankan shares rose for a fifth straight session on Tuesday and marked their highest close in more than three weeks, led by gains in banking and beverage stocks.

However, trading volume was low as investors stayed on the sidelines for want of fresh triggers. The day's turnover stood at 181.9 million Sri Lankan rupees ($1.12 million), the lowest since August 3 and less than a fifth of this year's daily average.

The Colombo stock index ended 0.6 per cent higher at 6,128, its highest close since August 13. It had gained 0.4 per cent last week, its second straight weekly gain.