The Sri Lankan rupee ended slightly firmer on Thursday ahead of the central bank's policy review as a foreign bank sold dollars, but dollar buying by a state bank prevented further strengthening in the rupee, dealers said. Sri Lanka's central bank is expected to keep its key interest rates steady at more than three-year highs at a policy announcement on Friday, a Reuters poll showed, to boost faltering growth hit by adverse weather.
The spot rupee, which has been trading for four straight sessions after being inactive for six weeks, ended at 153.15/25 per dollar, compared with Wednesday's close of 153.30/35.