The Sri Lankan rupee closed marginally weaker on Thursday and ended at a record closing low, prompting the central bank to sell dollars to support the domestic currency, dealers said. The rupee ended at its record closing low of 157.90/158.10 per dollar, compared with Wednesday's close of 157.80/95. The currency hit an all-time low of 157.90 per dollar on May 2. It has declined 0.2 percent so far this month after a 1.5 percent fall in April.
"The market was dull today as investors are worried over the global uncertainties on top of local issues," a currency dealer said, asking not to be named. "The central bank sold to select banks at 157.90 rupees per dollar." Officials at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka were not immediately available for comments. The dollar eased slightly from 2018 highs ahead of US April inflation numbers on Thursday and as currency markets eyed the Bank of England's policy meeting and inflation report.