Sri Lanka stocks gain for 7th session; rupee edges down

Sri Lankan shares rose for the
seventh consecutive session on Thursday to hit a more than
four-month closing high, led by gains in diversified and banking
stocks, while the rupee edged down on importer dollar demand.
** The benchmark stock index gained 0.89% to 5,695.69,
its highest close since March 8.
** The index rose 1% last week, its third consecutive weekly
gain. But the index is down about 5.89% so far this year.
** On Thursday, the stock market’s turnover was