The Sri Lankan rupee closed marginally higher on Monday, as dollar inflows from inward remittances outpaced demand from importers for the US currency, dealers said. The spot rupee closed at 153.63/70 per dollar, compared with Friday's close of 153.75/80. "The demand for dollars was there today, but rupee ended firmer due to the inward remittance for salaries," said a currency dealer who declined to be named.
The rupee has lost 2.7 percent so far this year, and dealers say it is expected to face pressure with imports of more low-end vehicles, on which the government has already reduced taxes. The government imposed new taxes on high-end vehicles, telecoms, banks and liquor in a bid to boost revenues in its 2018 budget presented earlier this month.