CRIB relief measures to assist individuals, businesses hit by Cyclone Ditwah

Tuesday, 7 April 2026 07:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Director/General Manager Pushpike Jayasundera

The Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka (CRIB), under the guidance of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), has introduced special measures to assist individuals and businesses affected by the floods and cyclonic winds caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

The initiative ensures that borrowers facing temporary financial difficulties due to the disaster are not unfairly impacted in their credit records during the relief period, which ranges up to six months.

Under the new measures:

Payments delayed due to the disaster will not be reported as overdue.
Financial institutions will update credit records to reflect the support provided to affected customers.
New loans granted to help businesses restart operations will be identified as part of the recovery process.

CRIB highlighted that these steps aim to protect the credit standing of affected individuals and businesses, enabling them to access future financial assistance without difficulty. Reporting of eligible borrowers will begin from 1 March 2026.

However, continued non-servicing of credit facilities classified under the relief process will result in such facilities being reported by financial institutions under the normal reporting process.

Affected customers are encouraged to contact their respective banks or financial institutions for details on the relief options available to them.

Director/General Manager Pushpike Jayasundera said: “These measures reflect our commitment to supporting national economic recovery while upholding a fair and transparent credit information system, and to fostering improved access to credit for citizens.”

Established by the Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka Act No. 18 of 1990 as amended by Act No. 8 of 1995 and 42 of 2008, CRIB is the first credit bureau in the South Asian region. An initiative of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Finance Ministry, the Bureau serves as the national repository of credit information for all borrowers, delivering a range of value-added services that facilitate faster and more affordable access to credit, thereby enhancing financial inclusion for all citizens.