The Sri Lankan rupee ended a tad weaker for a fourth straight session on Tuesday as importer demand for the dollar surpassed mild greenback sales by exporters and banks, dealers said. The rupee ended at 141.15/20 per dollar, near its record low of 141.40 hit on September 28, and down from Monday's close of 141.05/10. Trading is likely to be lacklustre until the government provides clarity on economic policy, dealers said.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to announce the country's medium-term economic policy framework on Thursday, while the 2016 budget announcement is scheduled for November 20. "Exporters are reluctant to sell as they expect the rupee to weaken further," a currency dealer said, on condition of anonymity. Dealers said they have not seen a significant gain in the currency after last week's $1.5 billion sovereign bond issue and it is expected to be dull until investors see policy clarity. Dealers expected the inflow from the bond proceeds later this week.