The Sri Lankan rupee ended steady on Thursday amid importer dollar demand and some foreign outflow from t-bonds, but banks were reluctant to trade below the 144.00 level desired by the central bank, dealers said. "There was demand for dollars. We have also seen some foreign investors selling bonds," a dealer said asking not to be named. Another dealer said there was importer dollar demand and nobody was trading the spot rupee below 144.00. The spot rupee ended flat at 144.00/20 per dollar. The rupee forwards and swaps were actively traded on Thursday for a second straight session.