Central Bank instructs further restriction of importing non-essential goods

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has informed the Ministry of Finance to further restrict the import of non-essential goods as the foreign exchange crisis may worsen in the near future.

The Central Bank has informed that the import restrictions must be enforced immediately as the impact on the country’s foreign reserves will worsen in the future.As dollars are required for the import of fuel, medicines and essential food items, the Central Bank has stressed to strictly limit the import of non-essential goods.

Accordingly, the Central Bank has sent three lists of more than 2,500 non-essential items of which imports should be restricted to the Ministry of Finance.Meanwhile, the Central Bank also informed the Ministry of Finance to temporarily ban the import of goods under the open account system and cash payment after the sale of goods.