Sri Lanka’s rupee closes weaker wide around 196/198 to US dollar

By MSV On Jan 20, 2021

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s rupee close weaker wide around 196.00/198.00 to the US dollar in the spot next market on Wednesday while bond yields eased, Economy Next reported, citing dealers.

Rupee last closed around 196.00/197.00 in the spot-next market on Tuesday against the greenback.

The central bank’s indicative spot rate was 194.7980 on January 19, up from 193.6458 on yesterday.

Sri Lanka’s stock market meanwhile closed 0.97 percent higher, Economy Next added.

The market recovered ground from a correction a day earlier as investors piled into banks, finance companies and Hayleys group export units, brokers said.

Colombo’s All share price index gained 0.97percent or 75.48 points to close at 7,884.45, a little short of the psychological 8,000 mark.

The index fell to an intra-day low of 7,677.37 in the first hour into trading but picked up and continued to increase throughout the day.

The S&P SL20 index of more liquid stocks gained 1.27 percent or 37.32 points to close at at 3,096.35, Economy Next added.