The Sri Lankan rupee ended weaker on Thursday on dollar demand from importers, but moral suasion by the central bank capped the fall after expectations of a nearly $1 billion inflow from a bond sale failed to ease pressure on the currency, dealers said.
Dealers said the banking regulator had been preventing spot rupee trades below 151.35 per dollar and two-week forwards below 153.30 per dollar. Central bank officials were not available for comment.
The spot currency was quoted at 151.75/152.75 per dollar, but was not traded.
Rupee forwards were active, with two-week forwards ending at 153.10/25 per dollar, compared with Wednesday's close of 152.90/153.10.
Foreign investors bought a net 1.87 billion rupees ($12.4 million) worth of government securities in the week ended March 8, recording the second weekly net inflow for the year.