PM meets Bank Chiefs; discusses monetary status

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met the Chairmen and top management of all state and private banks in the country at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister's Office stated that the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, as well as the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), were present at the meeting.

The Prime Minister inquired at length about the problems faced by the country's banking system in the face of the current economic crisis.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister inquired from the heads of the banks regarding issues such as the dollar deficit and credit expansion as well as the amount of savings.

The discussion also focused on extending the grace period given to companies and individuals to repay loans, due to COVID-19.

The Prime Minister has instructed to bring the Samurdhi banking system under the full supervision of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.