Rupee slips to record low on importer dollar demand

Reuters: The Sri Lankan rupee slipped to an all-time low yesterday, with dollar demand from importers outpacing limited selling of the US currency by exporters, dealers said.

The rupee hit a record low of 156.90 against the dollar during the session, weakening further from its previous all-time low of 156.50 hit on 18 April.

The rupee closed at 156.85/95, weaker from Friday’s (20 April) close of 156.25/35.

“There was strong dollar demand today from both private banks and state banks for imports as companies which were closed for the traditional New Year opened,” a currency dealer said, yesterday.

“Exporters are staying away and there are no inward remittances too.”

The country’s Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy had said if the inflation rate could be maintained between 4% and 5%, the depreciation in the rupee would be around 2% or 3%.

The rupee has weakened 2.2% so far this year. It dropped 2.5% last year and 3.9% in 2016.

The Central Bank has bought around $400 million from the market in the first three months of this year to help build reserves and repay some debt.

Dealers said they expect the rupee to gradually weaken and face higher volatility this year due to debt repayments by the Government.

Foreign investors sold Government securities worth a net Rs. 1.8 billion ($11.48 million) so far this year through April 18, the Central Bank data showed.