The local businesses urged the Central Bank this week to look at the possibility of further extending the moratorium, so that more breathing space is provided to settle the loans.
According to the National Trade Protection Council, the borrowings from SMEs have reached Rs.1,000 billion, which the sector is struggling to pay back, due to the prevailing challenges in the national economy.
The council’s President Mahendra Perera shared that the members are continually complaining about their inability to service their borrowings at the prevailing high-interest rates.
The moratorium offered expires on December 31, 2022.
The council asserted that the moratorium has failed to give the desired results, mainly due to the grim macroeconomic circumstances.
“We requested the governor to extend the moratorium. What we asked for was to create a win-win situation for us and for the banks. If not, the banking sector in this country would also fall,” said Perera.
The council is of the view that at least 20,000 SMEs would be forced to shut down by January, if no action is taken by the government to delay the repayment of interest and capital on the loans taken by the sector.
Perera shared that Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe had indicated to local business associations on Thursday that efforts would be taken to look into the possibility of obtaining the assistance of agencies such as the Asian Development Bank, once the relief from the International Monetary Fund is obtained.
The National Trade Protection Council has requested a reduction of interest rates and to keep the borrowing rate at 15 percent throughout 2023, while partly and fully wavering the interest during settlements.
The council also requested the Central Bank to not allow the financial institutions to demand additional security to cover the interest.
Employees of all Bank of Ceylon (BoC) branches have decided to walk out of service at 12.30 pm today (May 29).
The decision has been taken over the current management not taking the initiative to provide them with the 06-month incentive package approved by the Board of Directors, according to the Bank Employees’ Union.
Central Committee member of the Bank Employees’ Union – Najith Wijeratne, stated that they will initiate a token strike if this issue is not resolved by June 06.
BoC employees have also held lunchtime protests yesterday (May 28) in front of 22 branches in major cities islandwide.
The National Salt Ltd. says that 2,800 MT of salt imported from India have been released to the market.
It says the food-grade salt stock, which arrived on May 23, is being distributed to the market through local salt sales agents for consumer sale.
The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development states that Lanka Salt Ltd. is importing 10,000 MT of salt, while over 100 importers, including those from Pettah, are bringing in an additional 100,000 MT.
Employees of Michelin Lanka Pvt Ltd, located in the Midigama area of Matara, allege that there are plans to sell the company.
This has raised concerns among employees about job losses, leading to protests.
Workers allege that the company is planning to dismiss them with a minimal severance payment, which they believe is insufficient.
An employee has revealed to the media that after workers were informed about this decision, a newly formed employees’ union has set several demands to the company authorities.
Workers have demanded a fair severance package, but authorities have offered Rs.200,000, (a sum employees consider inadequate) reportedly asking them to provide resignation letters in return.
An employer also states that before the current government took office, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe had proposed that forming a trade union could help secure workers’ rights. However, the president and secretary of that union are now reportedly in hiding, he employer adds.
Meanwhile, holding a press conference recently, the Inter Company Employees’ Union had revealed that Michelin Lanka Pvt Ltd is in the process of selling the company to the Indian company – CEAT.
According to the union, CEAT has purchased a majority stake in the company.
As part of the deal, it is reported that the Midigama factory of Michelin Lanka Pvt Ltd and part of its operations in Ja-Ela have been transferred to Indian CEAT company.
The Inter Company Employees’ Union had stated there was no issue as a MoU was signed between the two companies to secure workers’ rights. According to the agreement, Michelin Lanka Pvt Ltd had pledged to honor the full service period of affected workers, while CEAT agreed to provide appropriate compensation based on their years of service, the union adds.
Michelin Lanka was previously a part of Camso Loadstar (Private) Ltd, one of the largest suppliers of industrial tyres in the global market.
The situation at Michelin Lanka follows the sudden closure of the NEXT garment factory in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone a few weeks ago, leaving over 1,400 workers jobless.
In a statement, the company cited high production costs as the reason for shutting down operations in Sri Lanka.
