FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – On Tuesday, Sri Lanka’s rupee commenced trading at 309.90/310.10 against the US dollar in the spot market, reflecting a slight weakening from the previous day’s rate of 309.95/310.05, according to market dealers. Concurrently, bond yields experienced a decline due to increased buying interest.

The bond market quotes were as follows: A bond maturing on February 15, 2028, was quoted at 9.00/10 percent. For a bond maturing on March 15, 2028, the quote stood at 9.05/15 percent. A bond maturing on October 15, 2028, was quoted at 9.15/25 percent. The bond maturing on October 15, 2029, had a quote of 9.67/70 percent, while a bond maturing on December 15, 2029, was quoted at 9.71/73 percent, down from a previous rate of 9.73/75 percent. A bond maturing on July 1, 2030, had a quote of 9.75/85 percent, a decrease from the prior 9.77/81 percent. The bond maturing on March 15, 2031, was quoted at 9.95/10.05 percent. Meanwhile, a bond maturing on October 15, 2032, was quoted at 10.32/35 percent. Lastly, a bond maturing on November 1, 2033, was quoted at 10.50/55 percent, showing a slight increase from 10.50/52 percent.

The rupee has depreciated from its previous rate of 293.25/75 against the US dollar last year, despite record current account surpluses and improvements in the budget, challenging the typical economic narratives often cited for currency depreciation.

Telegraphic transfer rates were reported as follows: the American dollar had a buying rate of 306.4000 and a selling rate of 313.4000. The British pound was 414.0903 for buying and 425.4521 for selling. The euro’s buying rate was 357.0460, with a selling rate of 368.4092.

On the Colombo Stock Exchange, indices showed an upward trend. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) increased by 0.36 percent, or 82.18 points, reaching 23,096. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 rose by 0.54 percent, or 33.62 points, to 6,261.

A total of Rs. 100,000 million in Treasury bills is scheduled to be issued through an auction on January 7. (Colombo/Jan6/2026)