Sri Lanka's benchmark share index hit a new record high yesterday (20) on robust economic growth hopes and the removal of a 10 percent daily share price limit imposed by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) early last month.

Sri Lanka's main share index .CSE closed 1 percent up to hit a record high of 6,521.43 points. It touched an intraday high of 6,589.21 points and then fell due to profit taking. The index is Asia's best performer in 2010 with a 92 percent gain.

The SEC removed the blanket 10 percent price limit with effect from Monday.

Analysts said there is higher growth hope after Sri Lanka last week posted an 8.5 percent for April-June quarter which helped boost the bourse.

Market turnover was 3.9 billion rupees ($35.6 million), nearly seven times the 2009 daily average. Foreign investors bought a net 170.6 million rupees' of shares, but they have overall sold a net 14 billion worth of stocks this year, reported Reuters.