Sri Lankan rupee forwards ended weaker on Friday as dollar demand from importers surpassed dollar selling due to bond purchases by foreign investors, dealers said. The dollar/rupee forwards, known as spot next, ended at 146.85/90 per dollar, from Thursday's close of 146.75/80. "There were dollar sales by a foreign bank after yesterday's bond auction and some flood relief inflows. But importer demand was there," a currency dealer said, asking not to be named.
Hopes faded for the survival of about 150 people trapped under mud and rubble of two landslides in Sri Lanka, as heavy rain hampered rescue operations. The death toll from the disaster rose to 64 on Friday.