Reuters - The Sri Lankan rupee fell to a record low on Tuesday, as political uncertainty triggered by President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to sack parliament weighed on sentiment, market participants said.

The currency hit 176.05 versus the dollar, surpassing its previous all-time low of 175.90 hit on Monday.

Sirisena dissolved parliament on Friday night and called a general election for Jan. 5, drawing international criticism, in a move likely to deepen the country’s political crisis.

His rivals have challenged the decision, with the market awaiting for a Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday.

“Exporters are not converting dollars and there is a lack of liquidity in the market,” one trader told Reuters, asking not to be identified.

The rupee closed at 175.60/75 per dollar on Monday and has fallen 14.6 percent so far this year, Refinitiv Eikon data showed.