Sri Lanka rupee up

The Sri Lankan rupee closed slightly firmer on Wednesday as exporters sold dollars in late trade, outweighing early demand for the US currency from importers and banks, dealers said. The spot rupee, which traded 154.00 per dollar during the day, ended at 153.75/95, compared with Tuesday's close of 153.97/154.05. "There was demand (for dollars). But we saw exporters coming in when the currency touched 154.00 per dollar," said a currency dealer. Dealers said the rupee might see volatility with the government's heavy debt repayment this year.