The general public is hereby informed that having considered the request made by the Union Bank of Colombo PLC (UBC), the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has granted approval for UBC to cease its operations as a Primary Dealer with effect from 01 May 2020. UBC will continue to function as a Dealer Direct Participant in the LankaSettle system and transact in scripless government securities on behalf of its customers and maintain its customer accounts in the LankaSecure system.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is aware that some Sri Lankans who have gone abroad, for short visits for leisure and holidays, meet relatives and friends, pilgrimage, business purposes, training, seminars and conferences, medical treatments, sports, recreational and cultural activities, etc., and on student or equivalent visas, are stranded abroad amidst the prevailing global pandemic situation and that their families in Sri Lanka are keen to send money to meet living expenses/up keep of such persons in overseas. In this regard, CBSL wishes to make the following clarifications.