Sri Lankan stocks fall to 8-week closing low

COLOMBO, Mar 21 (Reuters): Sri Lankan shares fell for a third straight session on Wednesday and posted their lowest close in eight weeks, as investors sold diversified stocks such as John Keells Holdings Plc on worries over slower economic growth, brokers said.

Sri Lanka's economy grew by 3.1 per cent in 2017, the slowest pace in 16 years and well below the 4.5 per cent seen in 2016, revised government data released on Tuesday showed.

The Colombo stock index fell 0.26 per cent to 6,445.97, its lowest close since January 24. It dropped 0.6 per cent last week in its third straight weekly decline.