The Sri Lankan rupee ended steady for a fifth straight session on Thursday as demand for more dollars by importers was offset by selling of the greenback at 133.60 by banks and exporters, dealers said. One of the state-owned banks, through which the central bank usually directs the market, has kept the selling rate of the dollar at 133.60 since July 2, dealers said.
"There are some exporter dollar sales here and there. But the excess importer dollar demand has been met by the bank's dollar sales. Otherwise, the rupee might depreciate," a currency dealer said. The currency has appreciated 0.45 percent since it hit a record low of 134.20 against the dollar on June 18.