Rupee tad weaker on importer dlr demand; stocks up

6 November 2015 06:30 pm

REUTERS - The Sri Lankan rupee edged down yesterday and traded at a record low due to importer dollar demand, while investors were trying to gauge the prime minister’s economic policy statement, dealers said.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, outlining economic priorities ahead of the 2016 budget, said the government would minimise tax holidays and aim to garner more revenues from the rich through direct taxes.
The rupee was at 141.50/60 per dollar at 0716 GMT, a record closing low hit earlier on Wednesday, and a tad weaker from Thursday’s close of 141.40/60.
“Investors are still trying to judge what are the positives and negatives from the prime minister’s statement and what impact it will have on the (foreign) exchange,” a currency dealer said, asking not to be named.
Wickremesinghe said the government would bring in a new exchange rate act while relieving the central bank of the responsibility of managing the exchange rate. A new investment act and public enterprise act also would be introduced, he said.
Investors are waiting for more clarity on economic policies from the 2016 budget announcement, scheduled on Nov. 20.
Some currency dealers said the statement by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday was confusing because he promised to suspend some taxes.
Sri Lanka’s main stock index was up 0.48 percent at 7050.97 at 0729 GMT. Turnover was Rs.925.4 million ($6.56 million).