News
Central Bank extends debt moratorium till December 31
Banks asked to prioritise requests made by MSME sector
With a view to meeting the challenges faced by businesses and individuals due to the new surge in COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has directed licensed commercial banks and licensed banks to extend the debt moratorium to COVID-19 affected businesses and individuals for a further period of three months till 31 December 2021.
This directive to the licensed commercial banks was issued on Wednesday, September 1.
Accordingly, this circular is issued to give effect to the scheme in a consistent manner across all licensed banks.
However, licensed banks may offer any additional concessions to borrowers in a way that the overall benefits to borrowers are not less than the benefits offered under this circular.
The Central Bank further said: “The latest extension is not applicable for borrowers in the tourism sector who are eligible to obtain concessions granted for the tourism sector separately. (Tourism sector debt moratorium expires on 30 September).Banks are required to ensure deferment or restructuring of existing credit facilities in the performing category as of 1 September.”They can defer recovery of capital, interest or both of the existing performing credit facilities of borrowers who are affected by COVID-19, on case-by case basis, during the period up to 31 December, considering the financial difficulties faced by such borrowers, including loss of job, loss or reduction of income/salaries or sales, reduction or impairment business operations or the closure of business, etc.””Banks have been requested to prioritise accommodating the requests for concessions made by borrowers in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.””The deferment of capital, interest or both should be granted for one or more of the existing credit facilities granted in rupees and/or in foreign currencies, considering the financial difficulties and repayment capacity of the eligible borrowers. They can amalgamate the amounts fallen due during the previous moratorium/deferment schemes (i.e., capital, interest and applicable interest for the respective moratorium/deferment period on the respective moratorium/deferred amount) and the amounts falling due during the current scheme (i.e., capital and interest) in to one new loan.””Banks may charge an interest rate commencing from 1 September, on the new loan referred above and for the agreed period of repayment based on a separate loan amortisation schedule for this period.””In the case of rupee facilities considered for the deferment, banks may charge an interest rate not exceeding the latest available 364-days Treasury Bills auction rate as of 31 August plus 1% per annum (i.e., 5.93% + 1% = 6.93%).””In the case of foreign currency loans, licensed banks may charge a concessionary rate of interest. Further, interest for the remaining capital outstanding balance, excluding the deferred capital amount of the existing facility will continue to accrue at the contracted interest rate after the end of the deferment period.””In the case of instalment loans, including lease facilities, a licensed bank and the respective borrower need to agree on a repayment period commencing from 1 July 2022, up to six months, to settle the new loan referred to above, considering the financial difficulties faced by such borrowers. The borrower may commence the repayment of the new loan at an earlier date, if the borrower wishes to do so. However, the borrower shall commence repayment of existing facilities from 1 January 2022.””In the case where a borrower requests for a period beyond six months to settle the new loan, the borrower and the bank need to agree on a concessionary interest rate beyond the six-month period.””Banks should explain the benefits of commencing early repayment and the implications of extending the repayment period to the borrower, in order to encourage the borrower to commence early repayment of the deferred amount.””Alternatively, banks may restructure the existing credit facilities, on a case-by-case basis, over a longer period, considering the repayment capacity of the borrower and an acceptable revival plan. In this case, the licensed bank and the borrower shall agree on an interest rate, considering the prevailing low interest rates,” the Central Bank said.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
