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.

A tragic incident occurred in the Balangoda area this afternoon (June 12), where 

A large tree branch had fallen on a school building in Balangoda today (June 12) afternoon, resulting in the death of a student and causing injuries to 16 others.

According to Balangoda Police, the deceased was a 17-year-old student. 

The injured have been hospitalised for treatment.

A section of the Watawala Agarakanda Road has collapsed today (June 12), following continuous heavy rainfall on the western slopes of the central hills.

The landslide occurred near the access road to Lonak Wattha.

Authorities have halted all heavy vehicle traffic on the route. 

Watagala Police confirmed that the road remains impassable, and advised motorists to use alternative routes until further notice.

(Pic – dailynews)