The Sri Lankan spot rupee ended steady in dull trade on Monday as the central bank defended it via moral suasion, while currency forwards traded weaker after the monetary authority lifted a 2-cents-per-day premium limit, dealers said. The spot currency ended steady at 132.90/133.10 per dollar with compared to Friday's close. One-week forwards, which were actively traded, ended at 133.40/45 per dollar compared with Friday's 133.35/40.
On February 9, the central bank lowered the per-day premium to 2 cents from 5 cents. Central bank officials were not immediately available for comment. Dealers said forwards were actively traded after the central bank move.