The Sri Lankan rupee fell to a record low of 143.00 per dollar on Tuesday, down for a third straight session on importer demand for the greenback amid lower dollar liquidity. Exporters were reluctant to sell the greenback on speculation that the local currency could fall further, dealers said.
Trading was dull as the market awaited further clarification on the budget proposals announced late on Friday. Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and his ministry officials are scheduled to speak at several post-budget forums this week. The rupee fell 0.24 percent to a record low of 143.00 per dollar intra-day, surpassing the previous all-time trough of 142.70 hit on Monday. The rupee ended at 142.95/143.00 per dollar, down from Monday's close of 142.70/95.