News

Govt. prioritizes relief for SMEs in SL

Published

8 months ago

November 11, 2024

editor

A special meeting was held today (Nov. 11) at the Presidential Secretariat to address relief measures for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) facing financial challenges.

The meeting was led by the Senior Additional Secretary to the President for Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. G. N. R. D. Aponsu, and included officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (Guarantee) Limited.

The discussions focused on the financial difficulties encountered by SMEs due to loan obligations.

Currently, debt recovery processes under the Parate law have been temporarily suspended for SMEs, with this suspension set to expire on December 15. The meeting considered potential steps that could be taken before the expiration date to further support struggling SMEs.

Attendees examined ways for the banking sector to provide additional support to SMEs and boost productivity in the economy. During the discussions, it was also decided to compile a comprehensive report on the loans taken by SMEs from banks. This report will serve as a basis for designing future relief measures.

Additionally, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and various commercial banks are evaluating the steps needed for the temporary suspension of debt recovery under the Parate law for SME loans.

The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Mrs. R. R. S. De Silva Jayathilake, Director of Bank Supervision at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and Mr. A. M. A. D. Amarakoon, Senior Assistant Director at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Also present were representatives from the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (Guarantee) Limited: Mr. Indrajith Boyagoda, Secretary General; Mr. Dilshan Rodrigo, Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank; Mr. Manoj Akmeemana, Senior Deputy General Manager of Sampath Bank; Mr. Sampath Perera, Deputy General Manager of Bank of Ceylon; Mr. Nalin Samaranayake, Assistant General Manager of Commercial Bank; Mr. Nirosh Perera, Chief Recovery and Rehabilitation Officer of Hatton National Bank; and Mr. Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank.

(President’s Media Division)

News

CoI on Deshabandu concludes examining evidence by both parties

Published

4 hours ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The examination of evidence by both the Respondent and the Prosecution before the Committee of Inquiry concluded.

The Committee recommends that both parties submit their written submissions to the Committee of Inquiry before 3:30 p.m. on the 8th of July.

Examining evidence before the Committee of Inquiry to inquire and report its findings on IGP T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon in respect of acts of gross abuse of power, concluded yesterday (July 01), with the presentation of evidence by both the Respondent, representing Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the Prosecution.

The Committee of Inquiry, chaired by Supreme Court Judge P.P. Surasena and comprising Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman, National Police Commission, convened today, during which, testimonies were obtained from two additional witnesses by the Prosecution.

These two witnesses had been overseas on official duty. Thus, in accordance with the prior agreement between the two parties, reached to obtain the evidence post June 26, held before the Committee of Inquiry with the participation of Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and

Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, and R.S. Weerawickrama Attorney-at-Law, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, it was decided to record the statements of these two witnesses today.Furthermore, both the Prosecution in representation of the Attorney General’s Department and the Respondent Inspector General of Police agreed to submit their respective written submissions to the Committee of Inquiry before 3:30 p.m. on July 08, 2025.

News

Govt to present 2026 Appropriation Bill in October

Published

7 hours ago

July 2, 2025

editor

Cabinet approval has been granted to a proposal presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance , Planning and Economic Development to present the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 to Parliament in October 2025.

Approval has also been granted to present the Budget speech in November 2025 and to hold the third reading and budget debate during November and December.