Sri Lanka's rupee closed weaker on Tuesday due to dollar demand from importers, while stocks fell to an eight-week closing low amid concerns over debt repayment by the government. The rupee closed at 182.00/20 per dollar, compared with 181.75/90 in the previous session, market sources said. On Jan. 3, the rupee fell to an all-time low of 183.00 against the dollar.

The currency has depreciated 0.3 percent so far this year, Refinitiv data showed. It fell 19 percent in 2018, making it one of the worst-performing currencies in Asia, according to Refinitiv data, due to heavy foreign outflows. The rupee has declined 4.9 percent since a political crisis started in October. That crisis had dented investor sentiment and delayed Sri Lanka's borrowing plans.

Worries over heavy debt repayment after a 51-day political crisis have dented investor sentiment as the county is struggling to repay its foreign loans, with a record $5.9 billion due this year including $2.6 billion in the first three months.

Copyright Reuters, 2019