The Colombo Stock Exchange extended its negative momentum for a third consecutive session on Thursday, 20 August 2026, with both benchmark indices closing marginally lower amid continued selling pressure across the broader market.The All Share Price Index declined by 10.95 points, or 0.05%, to close at 21,405.62, while the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index slipped by 1.14 points, or 0.02%, to end the session at 6,019.25.

The ASPI opened around the 21,440 level and initially moved higher, briefly crossing 21,460 during early trading. However, buying momentum faded as the session progressed. Despite several intraday recovery attempts, renewed selling pressure towards the close pushed the index back into negative territory.

Total market turnover stood at LKR 1.50 billion, with approximately 40.82 million shares changing hands during the session.The Banks sector dominated market activity, generating LKR 490.64 million in turnover from approximately 3.61 million shares. SEYB.N recorded the highest turnover within the sector at approximately LKR 149.04 million.Crossing activity remained relatively limited compared with recent sessions. Crossings generated approximately LKR 109.90 million, accounting for around 7% of total equity turnover. JKH.N recorded the largest combined crossing activity, with two transactions totaling LKR 89.10 million involving 4.50 million shares at LKR 19.80.

Foreign investors returned to the selling side, although the magnitude remained relatively modest, recording a net foreign outflow of LKR 24.79 million.

Market breadth remained negative, with 93 securities advancing against 121 decliners, resulting in an advance-to-decline ratio of 0.77. The weaker breadth indicated that selling pressure remained broader than the relatively small declines in the headline indices suggested.MELS.N was the strongest positive contributor to the ASPI, adding 5.81 points, followed by SPEN.N, DIAL.N, CFIN.N and HARI.N.

SAMP.N remained the largest negative contributor, reducing the ASPI by 17.68 points. BREW.N, BUKI.N, JKH.N and CDB.N also weighed on the index.Among notable trades, SEYB.N recorded the highest individual counter turnover at approximately LKR 153.18 million, followed by HNB.X with LKR 95.38 million and JKH.N with LKR 93.70 million.Overall, the session reflected continued consolidation at the CSE, with the ASPI recording its third consecutive decline. However, the relatively modest index losses compared with the broader negative market breadth suggest that selected heavyweight counters continued to provide some support, helping the ASPI remain above the 21,400 level.