The Colombo Stock Exchange opened the week on a weaker note on Monday, 24 August 2026, with both benchmark indices closing lower amid broad-based selling pressure.The All Share Price Index declined by 71.84 points, or 0.34%, to close at 21,344.77, while the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index fell by 18.69 points, or 0.31%, to end the session at 6,009.40.

The ASPI remained above the 21,400 level during early trading before gradually losing momentum through the session. Selling pressure intensified as the day progressed, pushing the index lower towards the close. The S&P SL20 followed a similar trajectory and also ended firmly in negative territory.Total market turnover surged to LKR 16.85 billion, while approximately 67.08 million shares changed hands. However, the exceptionally high turnover was overwhelmingly driven by several large crossing transactions rather than broad secondary market activity.The Food and Staples Retailing sector dominated trading activity, generating approximately LKR 15.79 billion in turnover. CTHR.N recorded the highest individual counter turnover at around LKR 11.59 billion, followed by CARG.N with approximately LKR 4.20 billion.Crossing transactions accounted for approximately LKR 15.83 billion, representing nearly 94% of total equity turnover. CTHR.N recorded multiple crossings totaling approximately LKR 11.58 billion at LKR 575.00 per share, while CARG.N recorded crossings worth LKR 4.20 billion at LKR 700.00 per share. JKH.N also recorded a crossing valued at approximately LKR 46.53 million involving 2.34 million shares at LKR 19.90.

Foreign investors remained significant net sellers, recording a net foreign outflow of LKR 909.90 million during the session.Market breadth was firmly negative, with only 62 securities advancing against 130 decliners, resulting in an advance-to-decline ratio of 0.48. The weak breadth reflected relatively widespread selling pressure despite the concentration of turnover in a few large transactions.CTHR.N was the strongest positive contributor to the ASPI, adding 11.37 points to the index. HAYC.N, JKH.N, SIRA.N and GRAN.N also provided support.COMB.N recorded the largest negative contribution, reducing the ASPI by 9.39 points. MELS.N, BREW.N, CTC.N and RICH.N also weighed on the index.Overall, the session reflected a cautious start to the week, with both benchmark indices ending lower and market breadth remaining weak. Although turnover surged to an unusually high level, activity was heavily concentrated in crossings, while the sizeable foreign outflow and broad-based selling pressure pointed to subdued underlying market sentiment.