The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), with a view to facilitating sustainable revival of businesses that were adversely affected during the recent past has advised the licensed commercial banks and licensed specialised banks (hereinafter referred to as licensed banks) to provide further concessions to those SME borrowers who commenced discussions for business revival with the respective banks by 31.03.2025.
These relief measures are in line with Circular No. 04 of 2024 dated 19.12.2024 on Relief Measures to Assist the affected SMEs and the Addendum Circular No. 01 of 2025 dated 01.01.2025.
Accordingly, licensed banks have been advised to provide further concessions including interest reliefs and new lending to affected borrowers while the timeline given to the licensed banks in Circular No. 04 of 2024 to enter into reschedulement agreements with eligible SME borrowers has been extended from 15.06.2025 to 30.06.2025.
The management of City of Dreams Sri Lanka has urged the public to be aware of unauthorized tickets being circulated for its Grand Opening event, which is scheduled to take place on August 02.
In an official statement, the organizers emphasized that the event is strictly by invitation only and that no third parties have been permitted to sell, distribute, or issue tickets for the occasion.
“We have received reports of counterfeit tickets being offered via unofficial sources. We strongly advise the public to remain vigilant and avoid engaging with such offers,” the announcement stated. For any inquiries or clarifications, the management encourages individuals to use the official communication channels of City of Dreams Sri Lanka to obtain accurate information.
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation – K.D. Lal Kantha has announced that the government has decided to import 300,000 MT of maize.
Speaking to the media after attending a District Development Committee meeting at the Kandy District Secretariat yesterday (July 03), the Minister explained that this decision was taken to prevent traders from artificially inflating maize prices.
He stated that certain large and medium-scale businesses dealing with animal feed have been hoarding maize, buying it from farmers at fair prices and reselling it at much higher rates.
According to the Minister, these traders were trying to push maize prices up to Rs.190-200 per kilogram, which would have driven up the cost of eggs to Rs.200 each and increased meat prices significantly.
The Minister emphasized that while businesses are entitled to make a profit, the government will not allow unfair price manipulation. He also noted that, in the past, even ministers profited from animal products, but those days have ended and racketeers will not be allowed to control the market.
To prevent excessive price drops that could hurt farmers, the Food Security Committee has proposed imposing a tax on imported maize, he said.
Sri Lanka Customs has refuted social media claims alleging the imposition of a new tax on small parcel imports.
Addressing the media, Customs Media Spokesman and Additional Director Seevali Arukgoda emphasized that no new taxes have been introduced, nor are there any disruptions to the clearance of imported goods.
“We are not increasing tax rates… we are simply ensuring duties are calculated correctly,” he said. “The previous system allowed for significant undervaluation and misuse. Now, we are enforcing the existing laws more transparently.”
He explained that duties are now calculated using the globally accepted Harmonized System (HS) Code, which categorizes goods by type and value, replacing the older method of relying on parcel weight or flat rates that were often exploited.
Arukgoda further assured that no parcels are being withheld and reiterated that rates remain consistent with those approved by Parliament. The changes, he said, were implemented after adequate notice was given to courier services and importers — including a 1.5-month notice period and a 2-week transition phase.
He also noted that there is no requirement for recipients of online orders to visit Customs in person. Courier companies continue to handle delivery and clearance, he added.
