News

Central Bank extends debt moratorium till December 31

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/5

Banks asked to prioritise requests made by MSME sector

With a view to meeting the challenges faced by businesses and individuals due to the new surge in COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has directed licensed commercial banks and licensed banks to extend the debt moratorium to COVID-19 affected businesses and individuals for a further period of three months till 31 December 2021.

This directive to the licensed commercial banks was issued on Wednesday, September 1.

Accordingly, this circular is issued to give effect to the scheme in a consistent manner across all licensed banks.

However, licensed banks may offer any additional concessions to borrowers in a way that the overall benefits to borrowers are not less than the benefits offered under this circular.

The Central Bank further said: “The latest extension is not applicable for borrowers in the tourism sector who are eligible to obtain concessions granted for the tourism sector separately. (Tourism sector debt moratorium expires on 30 September).Banks are required to ensure deferment or restructuring of existing credit facilities in the performing category as of 1 September.”They can defer recovery of capital, interest or both of the existing performing credit facilities of borrowers who are affected by COVID-19, on case-by case basis, during the period up to 31 December, considering the financial difficulties faced by such borrowers, including loss of job, loss or reduction of income/salaries or sales, reduction or impairment business operations or the closure of business, etc.””Banks have been requested to prioritise accommodating the requests for concessions made by borrowers in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.””The deferment of capital, interest or both should be granted for one or more of the existing credit facilities granted in rupees and/or in foreign currencies, considering the financial difficulties and repayment capacity of the eligible borrowers. They can amalgamate the amounts fallen due during the previous moratorium/deferment schemes (i.e., capital, interest and applicable interest for the respective moratorium/deferment period on the respective moratorium/deferred amount) and the amounts falling due during the current scheme (i.e., capital and interest) in to one new loan.””Banks may charge an interest rate commencing from 1 September, on the new loan referred above and for the agreed period of repayment based on a separate loan amortisation schedule for this period.””In the case of rupee facilities considered for the deferment, banks may charge an interest rate not exceeding the latest available 364-days Treasury Bills auction rate as of 31 August plus 1% per annum (i.e., 5.93% + 1% = 6.93%).””In the case of foreign currency loans, licensed banks may charge a concessionary rate of interest. Further, interest for the remaining capital outstanding balance, excluding the deferred capital amount of the existing facility will continue to accrue at the contracted interest rate after the end of the deferment period.””In the case of instalment loans, including lease facilities, a licensed bank and the respective borrower need to agree on a repayment period commencing from 1 July 2022, up to six months, to settle the new loan referred to above, considering the financial difficulties faced by such borrowers. The borrower may commence the repayment of the new loan at an earlier date, if the borrower wishes to do so. However, the borrower shall commence repayment of existing facilities from 1 January 2022.””In the case where a borrower requests for a period beyond six months to settle the new loan, the borrower and the bank need to agree on a concessionary interest rate beyond the six-month period.””Banks should explain the benefits of commencing early repayment and the implications of extending the repayment period to the borrower, in order to encourage the borrower to commence early repayment of the deferred amount.””Alternatively, banks may restructure the existing credit facilities, on a case-by-case basis, over a longer period, considering the repayment capacity of the borrower and an acceptable revival plan. In this case, the licensed bank and the borrower shall agree on an interest rate, considering the prevailing low interest rates,” the Central Bank said.

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Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended

Published

11 mins ago

2025/12/10

Priyan

The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.

Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

News

“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM

Published

48 mins ago

2025/12/10

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:

“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.

Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.

This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”

The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.

The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Russia gifts 35 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka

Published

1 hour ago

2025/12/10

Priyan

The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)

The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”

The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)

The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.