Sri Lanka, May 27 -- The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded a significant milestone today (27), with its total market turnover reaching Rs. 18.7 billion, one of the highest single-day volumes in recent years.

Driving this surge was a major transaction involving Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB), following the divestment of a 9.99% stake by Browns Investments PLC. The shares were acquired by Ceylon Steel Corporation Ltd, marking a notable entry into the banking sector by the industrial giant.

Capital Alliance Securities (Pvt) Ltd acted as the broker for the buyer, Ceylon Steel Corporation, and also facilitated 60% of the trade on behalf of the seller, Browns Investments PLC.

The deal included the transfer of 45,317,177 ordinary voting s...