June 27, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1423

COLOMBO, June 26: Sri Lankan tea prices edged down slightly at the latest auction on low buying interest in poor quality teas, brokers said on Wednesday.

The anticipated gross sales average was 133 rupees per kg, falling from 136.30 per kg last week, Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said in a statement.

It said Western Broken Orange Pekoes picked up between two rupees and four rupees but plainer teas fell by between two and four rupees.

It said buyers from Britain, continental Europe and Japan showed limited interest in high-grown teas while Saudi Arabia and Dubai showed selective interest in low-grown teas.

About 7.9m kg of tea were offered at the auction, while 7.5m kg are expected to be up for sale on July 2 and and 3.—Reuters