Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 309.30/50 to the US dollar in the spot market on Friday, appreciating from 309.40/55 recorded the previous day, according to dealers. Despite this slight strengthening, the rupee had depreciated over the course of the week. The currency closed at 309.05/15 last Friday.
The rupee has fallen from around 292 to the dollar since December 2024. This decline has occurred amid record current account surpluses and narrowing budget deficits, as the central bank selectively restricted convertibility for private importers after purchasing dollars and increasing liquidity in the market.
In the government securities market, bond yields saw a modest increase. The bond maturing on 15 December 2028 was quoted at 9.07/12 percent. The bond maturing on 15 September 2029 was quoted at 9.47/52 percent, rising from 9.40/50 percent previously. The bond maturing on 15 December 2032 was quoted at 10.30/35 percent, while the bond maturing on 15 June 2035 was quoted at 10.65/70 percent.
Telegraphic transfer rates for the US dollar stood at 305.8500 for buying and 312.8500 for selling. For the British pound, rates were 408.2874 for buying and 419.6492 for selling. The euro was quoted at 356.3547 for buying and 367.7179 for selling.
At the Colombo Stock Exchange, indices were on an upward trend. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) rose by 0.43 percent, or 96.82 points, to reach 22,195. The S&P SL20 index increased by 0.15 percent, or 9.10 points, to 6,075.
(Colombo/Dec19/2025)
