Govt. appeals for foreign currency deposits from Lankans assuring secrecy

Thursday, 2 April 2020 12:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

3-month offer to boost reserves and economy to face COVID-19 challenge, says Central Bank

The Government is inviting all Sri Lankans abroad and locals having foreign currency holdings to deposit same with guarantee of secrecy and convertibility.

This offer is valid for three months starting from 2 April (today) and follows Cabinet deciding same at its meeting yesterday.

The Central Bank appealed to all Sri Lankans to do so as a gesture of goodwill and assist Sri Lanka's efforts to strengthen healthcare and social security as well as economy amidst the challenge of mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and post crisis recovery and development.

"We guarantee that foreign currency deposits will accepted without any hindrance from the Government, the Central Bank or any other authority. We also guarantee the future convertability of these deposits into foreign currency whenever you desire to do so. All your forex remittances will be exempted from exchange control regulations and taxes and protected under banking secrecy provisions," the request by Central Bank Governor Prof. W.D. Lakshman said.

See full notice at https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/press/media/notices