Sri Lankan shares and the rupee closed weaker on Monday, with investors awaiting cues from next week's budget and the outcome of talks between government authorities and the IMF, market source said. The Colombo Stock Exchange index closed lower for a sixth straight session on Monday, shedding 0.2 percent to 5,826.26 - its lowest close since Oct. 25.

The benchmark index dropped 1.2 percent last week, recording its third straight weekly fall. It declined about 1 percent in January. Turnover was 765.3 million rupees ($4.26 million), less than last year's daily average of 834 million rupees. The rupee ended at 179.70/80 per dollar, compared with Friday's close of 179.40/80.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera will present the 2019 budget on March 5. Government authorities are in discussion with the IMF to continue a $1.5 billion loan which was delayed after a political crisis unfolded in October.

Copyright Reuters, 2019