Sri Lanka shares surge as govt flags projects; rupee steady

Sri Lankan shares ended firmer
on Thursday, touching their highest intraday gain in more than
eight months, a day after the government launched a $2.2 billion
Japanese-funded project, boosting investor sentiment; while the
rupee ended steady.
** The benchmark stock index jumped 1.8% to its highest
percentage gain since Nov. 1, 2018. The bourse ended up at
5,508.97, its highest close since April 18.
** The index rose 0.16% last week and posted its first monthly
gain fo