The Sri Lankan rupee ended weaker on Thursday on importer demand for the US currency, but moral suasion by the central bank prevented a steeper fall, dealers said. Rupee forwards were active, with the one-week forwards ending at 148.40/50 per dollar compared with the previous day's close of 148.10/25. Dealers said moral suasion prevented the spot-next trading below 147.70/148.10.
The spot-next ended at 147.90/148.10 in the previous session. The spot rupee was quoted at 146.90/95 per dollar, but there were hardly any trades.