Govt. and CBSL announce fresh relief for bank-linked SMEs amid recovery push

Friday, 13 June 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

CBSL issues directive on 9 June instructing banks to extend concessions to eligible SME borrowers
Relief includes interest concessions, fresh lending and extended rescheduling deadlines
SMEs who engaged banks for revival talks by 31 March eligible for support
Deadline to finalise rescheduling agreements extended to 30 June

In a fresh push to revive the country’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, the Government and Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) have announced a new round of relief measures targeting SMEs already integrated into the formal banking system.

The initiative was disclosed during a high-level meeting held on Wednesday (11) at the Finance Ministry, chaired by Finance Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma.

He announced a further round of relief measures targeting SMEs that are integrated into the banking system, reinforcing the Government’s ongoing commitment to revive the sector amidst economic recovery efforts.

The meeting focused on promoting and supporting the growth of SMEs across the country.

Dr. Suriyapperuma noted that the CBSL had officially communicated the additional relief measures to banks in a directive issued on 9 June.

Accordingly, these measures are designed to assist entrepreneurs who have been navigating significant challenges, particularly those who are already linked to formal banking institutions and have previously sought assistance under various support mechanisms.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara, and CBSL Bank Supervision Director Rukshana Jayatillake.

They were also joined by several institutional heads and officials engaged in the implementation of SME-related policies and financial frameworks.

In a separate statement, the CBSL yesterday confirmed it had advised all licenced commercial banks (LCBs) and licenced specialised banks (LSBs) to provide further concessions to those SME borrowers who commenced discussions for business revival with the respective banks by 31 March 2025.

The CBSL added that these relief measures are in line with Circular No. 04 of 2024 dated 19 December 2024 on Relief Measures to Assist the Affected SMEs and Addendum Circular No. 01 of 2025 dated 1 January 2025.

It said all licenced banks have been advised to provide further concessions, including interest reliefs, and new lending to affected borrowers, while the timeline given to the licenced banks in Circular No. 04 of 2024 to enter into rescheduling agreements with eligible SME borrowers has been extended from 15 June 2025 to 30 June 2025.

Those borrowers who approached licenced banks for discussions on business revival as specified in the aforesaid Circular may contact the respective banks to obtain further details in this regard, the CBSL statement reads.

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