Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 309.55/65 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday, marking a slight depreciation from Friday’s close of 309.50/60, according to dealers. Bond yields remained relatively steady during the session.
The rupee has weakened from around 292 to the dollar since December 2024, despite record current account surpluses and narrowing budget deficits. This trend comes as the central bank has selectively restricted convertibility for private importers after accumulating dollars and injecting liquidity into the market.
A government bond maturing on 15 October 2029 was quoted at a yield of 9.49/55 percent. The bond maturing on 15 December 2029 remained unchanged at 9.55/60 percent. The yield on the bond maturing on 15 March 2031 edged down to 9.85/95 percent from 9.90/95 percent previously. Meanwhile, the bond maturing on 1 October 2032 was quoted at 10.25/35 percent, and the bond maturing on 15 December 2032 at 10.30/40 percent. The yield for the bond maturing on 1 November 2033 was at 10.40/50 percent, slightly lower from 10.42/48 percent. The bond maturing on 15 June 2035 was quoted at 9.62/70 percent.
Telegraphic transfer rates for the US dollar stood at 306.0000 for buying and 313.0000 for selling. For the British pound, rates were 408.9524 for buying and 420.3142 for selling. The euro was quoted at 356.3294 for buying and 367.6926 for selling.
On the Colombo Stock Exchange, indices were on an upward trend. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 0.06 percent, or 12.90 points, to reach 22,161. The S&P SL20 index rose by 0.38 percent, or 23.16 points, to 6,079.
