South Asia

Sum of Measures 1—5 (Total Package)

Total Package in USD Million: 1,285.99
% of GDP (2020): 1.59%
% of Regional Total Package: 0.29%
Package Per Capita in USD: 58.98
Note: Measures 9 and 10 are added to the sum of Measures 1-5.
Measure Amount (Local) Amount (USD) Details Update Source
01 - Liquidity Support info_outline
01A - Short-term lending info_outline

No amount/estimate: (i) April 2020, State-owned financial institutions will invest in treasury bonds and bills to stabilize the money market interest rate at 7%; (ii) 13 May 2020, Enable licensed banks to avail of liquidity through the Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance and Liquidity Support Scheme or as loans and advances in rupees under the Framework of Emergency Loans and Advances to Licensed Banks, based on acceptable collateral and liquidity forecasts.

01B - Support policies for short-term lending info_outline

No amount/estimate: (i) 17 March 2020, The required reserve ratio on domestic currency deposits of commercial banks has also been lowered from 5% to 4% to ease liquidity conditions; 16 June 2020, The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) decided to reduce the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) applicable on all rupee deposit liabilities of licensed commercial banks (LCBs) from 4% to 2%, where it has since remained unchanged; (ii) 31 March 2020, CBSL lowered the minimum daily liquidity requirements for Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs) with regards to holdings of time deposits (from 10% to 6%), savings deposits (from 15% to 10%), borrowings (retained at 5%), and government securities (from 7.5% to 5%) to ease stress on liquidity for a six-month period up to 30 September; On 30 September 2020, this was extended for another 6 months up to 31 March 2021; On 31 March 2021, another 3-month extension was given until 30 June 2021; (iii) 16 April 2020, Lowered the minimum daily reserve requirement for LCBs to 20% from 90% to ease overnight liquidity needs; (iv) 13 May 2020, The liquidity coverage ratio and net stable funding ratios have been reduced to 90%.

01C - Forex operations info_outline

No amount/estimate: (i) 19 March 2020, The CBSL introduced the following measures for licensed commercial banks to adopt for a period of 3 months to ease the pressure on the exchange rate. These include suspending the facilitation of motor vehicle importation until 19 July 2020. It also includes suspension of importation of nonessential goods, which was extended indefinitely on 30 June 2020; (ii) 19 March 2020, The purchase of Sri Lanka international sovereign bonds (ISBs) was suspended; On 19 June 2020, banks were allowed to purchase ISBs, provided it is funded with new foreign currency inflows to the banks; On 11 December 2020, CBSL required licensed commercial banks and national savings banks to suspend the purchase of ISBs until June 2021, unless such purchase is funded by new currency inflows from abroad; On 23 December 2020, given the pressure on the exchange rate, licensed banks were suspended from purchasing ISBs for a period of three months regardless of the source of financing for such purchases until end-March 2021; On 18 March 2021, suspension of the purchase of ISBs was extended from 23 March to 9 April 2021; 9 April 2021, suspension was further extended up to 23 April 2021; On 23 April 2021, suspension was extended until further notice; (iii) April 2020, Inward remittances will be exempted from certain regulations and taxes; (iv) 2 April 2020, Restrictions on capital outflows through suspension of investment-related remittances; On 25 June 2020, this was extended for another 6 months from 2 July 2020 to 1 January 2021; 5 January 2021, The restriction on capital outflow through remittances was extended for another 6 months from 2 January to 1 July 2021; (v) 23 September 2020, CBSL approved the buying and selling of USD/LKR for a period of 1 to 2 years to nonresident investors to encourage the inflow of foreign currency into the country; (vi) 25 January 2021, Licensed commercial banks were refrained from entering into forward exchange rate contracts for a period of three months; On 25 April 2021, this was extended until further notice; (vii) 18 February 2021, Exporters are required to repatriate export earnings to Sri Lanka within 180 days of shipment and convert 25% of the total proceeds into Sri Lanka rupees immediately upon receipt to strengthen the foreign exchange situation of the country and to dampen speculative activity that caused some excessive volatility in the exchange rate; On 16 April 2021, the percentage of export proceeds to be converted to rupees was reduced from 25% to 10%, and the period of conversion was extended from 14 days to 30 days; (viii) 25 May 2021, For a period of 1 year, existing short-term foreign currency borrowing limits by LCBs and LFCs are revoked, while maintaining existing total foreign currency borrowing limit up to 10%.

02 - Credit creation info_outline LKR150,000,000,000 USD810,562,472
02A - Financial sector lending/funding info_outline LKR150,000,000,000 USD810,562,472

No amount/estimate: (i) 24 March 2020, The 2.4 million beneficiaries of the Samurdhi program can avail interest-free loans of up to LKR10,000 with a 6-month grace period and 18 months repayment period through all Samurdhi banks; 31 March 2020: (ii) A 4% working capital loan for two years (with 6-month debt moratorium) under the scheme “Saubagya COVID-19 Renaissance facility” for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in all the sectors, and large enterprises in the affected sectors (such as tourism) was introduced through a LKR50 billion re-financing facility by the Central Bank. On 19 August 2020, CBSL extended the deadline of application for the 4% working capital loan scheme until 30 September 2020. Under this scheme, the Central Bank provides 100% refinancing to participating licensed banks at an interest rate of 1%; On 6 November 2020, CBSL extended the grace period applicable for the loans registered under this facility from 6 months to 9 months; (iii) No amount/estimate: Investment purpose rupee loan facility for five years at an interest rate equal to maximum of average weighted prime lending rate plus 1.5% may be obtained only by performing borrowers from a bank, with the amount not exceeding LKR300 million per bank per borrower, to expand business activities; (iv) 16 June 2020, The Central Bank implemented new Credit Schemes to support the revival of economic activity to support lending to business segments affected by COVID-19 (construction and other needy sectors) at the concessional rate of 4% per annum. This scheme along with the existing refinance Scheme will provide LKR150 billion in total to the businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (See other details in Measure 10).

02B - Support policies for long-term lending info_outline
02B1 - Interest rate adjustments

No amount/estimate: 16 April 2020: (i) The CBSL has reduced monetary policy rates by 50 basis points since March 2020; (ii) The rate at which CBSL grants advances to commercial banks for temporary liquidity needs has been lowered from 15% to 10%; (iii) 6 May 2020, The CBSL has reduced monetary policy rates by 100 basis points since March 2020 from 6.5% to 5.5% for the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and from 7.5% to 6.5% for the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR). The bank rate was also reduced from 10% to 9.5%; 9 July 2020, The CBSL has reduced monetary policy rates from 5.5% to 4.5% for the SDFR, from 6.5% to 5.5% for the SLFR, and the bank rate from 9.5% to 8.5%, where they have since remained unchanged. 18 August 2021, CBSL has increased SDFR and SLFR by 50 basis points each, to 5% and 6%, respectively; (iv) 1 June 2021, Ceiling interest rate for borrowers of Rupee facilities is the 364-days Treasury Bills auction rate at 5.18% p.a. plus 1% p.a. on the deferred amount and for the deferred period and a concessionary interest rate considering the prevailing low interest rates for foreign currency loans; (v) 18 August 2021, CBSL has increased the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) applicable on all rupee deposit liabilities of licensed commercial banks (LCBs) by 2 percentage points to 4%.

02B2 - Other policies to support long-term lending

No amount/estimate: (i) 30 March 2020, Defer the requirement to enhance capital by banks which are yet to meet the requirement by end 2020, until end 2022; (ii) 31 March 2020, Licensed banks, finance, and leasing companies have been permitted, if required, to reclassify NPLs under the debt moratorium scheme as performing loans; 16 April 2020: (iii) Lower capital conservation buffer requirements and a relaxation of loan classification rules have been announced; (iv) 13 May 2020, The Monetary Board, has decided to restrict certain discretionary payments of licensed banks, such as declaring cash dividends or repatriation of profits, engaging in share buy backs, increasing management allowances and payments to the Board of Directors for a limited period until 31 December 2020; (v) 20 August 2020, CBSL also introduced measures to promote lending. The Board decided to revise downward the caps on interest rates on credit cards from 28% to 18% per annum, on pre-arranged temporary overdrafts to 16% per annum, and on pawning facilities to 10% per annum from an earlier imposed maximum interest rate of 12% on 27 April 2020. Penal interest rates were capped at 2 percentage points over the regular interest rates charged on the relevant credit facility; (vi) 4 December 2020, CBSL imposed maximum interest rates on mortgage-backed housing loans obtained by salaried employees from licensed banks; (vii) 19 January 2021, The Monetary Board directed all licensed banks to refrain from paying cash dividends and repatriating profits until the financial statements for 2020 are finalized and audited; the restriction on share buy-backs, increase in management allowances and payments to the Board, restriction on non-essential expenditures such as advertising, entertainment, traveling, and training were extended until 30 June 2021; (viii) 9 April 2021, Regulatory frameworks were established to facilitate foreign currency borrowings of licensed finance companies, which include increasing borrowings from 10% to 20% of total assets, with a maturity of 2 years or more; (ix) 21 April 2021, CBSL introduced a priority sector lending target on credit granted by licensed banks to individuals and businesses in the MSME sector to promote sectors with high potential in terms of economic growth and export earnings.

02C - Loan guarantees

No amount/estimate: (i) 16 June 2020, The government and the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) provided construction sector enterprises with a facility to borrow from licensed commercial banks (LCBs), using guarantees issued by the government equivalent to the amount due on account of contracts carried out in the past, made available at the concessionary rate of 1% per annum, for a period of 180 days; (ii) 26 June 2020, In parallel to the LKR150 billion facility, a credit guarantee scheme was launched on 1 July 2020. Through this scheme, CBSL will provide a credit guarantee to banks, ranging from 80% for smaller loans to 50% for relatively large loans to provide loans at an interest rate of 4% using the banks own funds.

03 - Direct long-term lending info_outline
03A - Long-term lending info_outline

No amount/estimate: (i) 30 April 2020, A new concessionary loan scheme titled ‘Aswenna’ will be introduced in May 2020 which will provide farmers with loans of up to LKR3 million; 11 June 2020: (ii) Under the post COVID-19 relief budget of the government, a 4% interest 5-year loan with a two-year grace period will be available for accommodation providers and destination management companies registered under Sri Lanka Tourism Development Association (SLTDA) to pay salaries of staff; (iii) A similar loan facility will also be available for establishments providing facilities to tourists registered under SLTDA including, restaurants, tourist friendly eating places, spa and wellness centers, spice gardens, tourist shops, and water sports centers, where state-owned Bank of Ceylon will directly remit a maximum of LKR15,000 per employee for up to 6 months; (iv) 7 November 2020, The Cabinet has approved a loan scheme, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 40 to further their business ventures. Those engaged in information technology, agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry, tourism promotion-related projects, and innovative and machinery design projects can apply for this loan up to a maximum of LKR1 million.

03B - Forbearance

No amount/estimate: (i) March 2020, Wide-ranging debt moratoriums have been introduced by licensed banks, finance and leasing companies based on a directive by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) on 24 and 31 March 2020. These include (a) six-month moratorium (until end-September 2020) on both rupee and foreign currency term loans for affected businesses in SMEs, tourism, apparel, plantation, IT and related logistical services; and a three-month moratorium (until end-June 2020) on small-value personal banking loans and leasing for amounts less than LKR1 million; (b) licensed banks, finance and leasing companies have been requested to reschedule non-performing loans until end-September 2020; (c) licensed banks, finance, and leasing companies have been permitted, if required, to reclassify NPLs under the debt moratorium scheme above as performing loans; (d) temporary suspension of recovery actions under the debt moratorium scheme; (e) interest rate on credit cards capped at 15% for up to LKR50,000; the minimum monthly payment on the cards reduced by 50%; and repayment of all credit cards below the limit of LKR50,000 was extended until 30 April 2020; (ii) 26 August 2020, CBSL requested licensed commercial and licensed specialized banks (referred to as licensed banks) to extend the debt moratorium to COVID-19 affected businesses and individuals in the tourism sector for another six months from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021; (iii) 30 September 2020, CBSL also directed licensed finance companies and specialized leasing companies (referred to as nonbank financial institutions) to provide a six-month debt moratorium extension to COVID-19 affected businesses and individuals in the tourism sector. Employees of eligible businesses also qualify for this extension; (iv) 9 November 2020, In order to meet the challenges brought about by the second wave of COVID-19, the CBSL has required licensed banks as well as nonbank financial institutions (NBFI) to extend a debt moratorium to COVID-19 affected businesses and individuals for a further six-month period from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021. For the NBFI, borrowers may submit applications until 25 November 2020; On 27 November 2020, the deadline was extended to 10 December 2020; 19 March 2021, CBSL requested licensed banks and NBFIs to extend the debt moratorium to affected businesses and individuals in the tourism sector for another six months from 1 April to 30 September 2021; (v) 13 January 2021, CBSL has required banks to suspend loan recoveries from small and medium scale paddy millers for a period of 6 months from 1 January, to support their continued operation during the upcoming harvest season; (vi) 10 March 2021, CBSL requested licensed banks to defer lease installments on facilities obtained by affected business and individuals engaged in passenger transportation services for a period of 6 months starting 1 April 2021; On 12 March 2021, nonbank financial institutions were similarly requested to extend the same concessions to this sector; No amount/estimate: (i) March 2020, Wide-ranging debt moratoriums have been introduced by licensed banks, finance and leasing companies based on a directive by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) on 24 and 31 March 2020. These include (a) six-month moratorium (until end-September 2020) on both rupee and foreign currency term loans for affected businesses in SMEs, tourism, apparel, plantation, IT and related logistical services; and a three-month moratorium (until end-June 2020) on small-value personal banking loans and leasing for amounts less than LKR1 million; (b) licensed banks, finance and leasing companies have been requested to reschedule non-performing loans until end-September 2020; (c) licensed banks, finance, and leasing companies have been permitted, if required, to reclassify NPLs under the debt moratorium scheme above as performing loans; (d) temporary suspension of recovery actions under the debt moratorium scheme; (e) interest rate on credit cards capped at 15% for up to LKR50,000; the minimum monthly payment on the cards reduced by 50%; and repayment of all credit cards below the limit of LKR50,000 was extended until 30 April 2020; (ii) 26 August 2020, CBSL requested licensed commercial and licensed specialized banks (referred to as licensed banks) to extend the debt moratorium to COVID-19 affected businesses and individuals in the tourism sector for another six months from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021; (iii) 30 September 2020, CBSL also directed licensed finance companies and specialized leasing companies (referred to as nonbank financial institutions) to provide a six-month debt moratorium extension to COVID-19 affected businesses and individuals in the tourism sector. Employees of eligible businesses also qualify for this extension; (iv) 9 November 2020, In order to meet the challenges brought about by the second wave of COVID-19, the CBSL has required licensed banks as well as nonbank financial institutions (NBFI) to extend a debt moratorium to COVID-19 affected businesses and individuals for a further six-month period from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021. For the NBFI, borrowers may submit applications until 25 November 2020; On 27 November 2020, the deadline was extended to 10 December 2020; 19 March 2021, CBSL requested licensed banks and NBFIs to extend the debt moratorium to affected businesses and individuals in the tourism sector for another six months from 1 April to 30 September 2021; (v) 13 January 2021, CBSL has required banks to suspend loan recoveries from small and medium scale paddy millers for a period of 6 months from 1 January, to support their continued operation during the upcoming harvest season; (vi) 10 March 2021, CBSL requested licensed banks to defer lease installments on facilities obtained by affected business and individuals engaged in passenger transportation services for a period of 6 months starting 1 April 2021; On 12 March 2021, nonbank financial institutions were similarly requested to extend the same concessions to this sector; (vii) 25 May 2021, Considering the difficulties faced by borrowers due to the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, CBSL has requested licensed banks to defer recovery of capital, interest, or both from borrowers affected by the third wave of COVID-19 up to 31 August 2021 and shall restructure existing performing and nonperfoming credit facilities over a longer period; 1 June 2021, (viii) The CBSL required all recovery actions to be suspended until 31 August 2021 against credit facilities that are classified as non-performing on or after 1 April 2020; (ix) The CBSL issued additional concessions to borrowers including: extension of validity period of cheques valued less than SLR500,000 up to 30 June 2021; extension of the due dates of short-term revolving facilities during the period up to 31 August 2021; and discontinuation of charging for cheque returns and late payments for credit cards during the period up to 30 June 2021 for those who are demonstrably affected. Licensed are also requested not to decline loan applications from eligible borrowers under this Scheme solely based on an adverse CRIB record, and to consider any request from affected borrowers to delay the loan repayments by few days (maximum 10 working days) due to the ongoing travel restrictions, without charging any additional interest or other charges for such delay; (x) 8 September 2021, Commercial banks and licensed specialized banks (licensed banks) have been requested to consider extending the concessions granted previously, until 31 August 2021 to borrowers affected by COVID-19 up to 31 December 2021, considering the new surge in the pandemic and the resultant difficulties to the borrowers. Licensed banks have also been requested to offer additional concessions to affected borrowers, at their request, in a way that the overall benefits to the borrowers are not less than those specified by CBSL.

04 - Equity support info_outline
05 - Health and income support LKR87,980,888,840 USD475,426,712
05A - Health support LKR41,971,103,840 USD226,801,345

(i) 23 March 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has pledged USD5 million to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) COVID-19 Emergency Fund; (ii) No amount/estimate: Steps were taken to increase the health system capacity; the government scaled up testing services; (iii) LKR100 million from the Presidential fund was used to establish a special fund for containment, mitigation and social welfare spending, inviting local and foreign tax-free donations. The primary focus of the fund is facilitating the containment of COVID-19 including, purchasing medication, medical equipment and capacity expansion; (iv) 30 June 2020, The government has allocated up to LKR1.2 billion for preventive measures; (v) No amount/estimate: 4 January 2021, The government has entered into an agreement to receive COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility; On 29 January 2021, vaccination of health staff and frontline workers began after the arrival of 500,000 Covishield vaccines from India on 28 January 2021; 15 February 2021, The vaccination of the general public with Oxford Astra Zeneca started; (v) No amount/estimate: 4 January 2021, The government has entered into an agreement to receive COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility; On 29 January 2021, vaccination of health staff and frontline workers began after the arrival of 500,000 Covishield vaccines from India on 28 January 2021; 15 February 2021, The vaccination of the general public with Oxford Astra Zeneca started; (vi) 22 February 2021, The government plans to vaccinate 14 million people out of the total population of Sri Lanka; The Cabinet approved the purchase of 10 million Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccines for USD52.5 million (LKR9.7 billion) as a direct procurement from Serum Institute Private Ltd, India; It also approved the agreement between AstraZnera Institute in Britain and Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Corporation to purchase 3.5 million vaccines manufactured by the institute; (vii) 11 March 2021, Approval has been given to Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine by the Sri Lanka National Drug Regulatory Authority; On 23 March 2021, the Cabinet approved the proposal to purchase 7 million ($9.95 each) Sputnik V vaccine for a total amount of USD69.65 million (LKR12.9 billion); On 5 April 2021, the purchase of additional 6 million Sputnik V vaccines was approved at the same price, for a total amount of $59.7 million (LKR11 billion); (viii) No amount/estimate: 31 March 2021, Sri Lanka received 600,000 doses of Sinopharm from the People's Republic of China (PRC), which was administered only to Chinese nationals until approval from WHO was granted on 7 May 2021 for its emergency use; On 26 May 2021, a second stock of 500,000 doses of Sinopharm arrived; (ix) 1 May 2021, The government of Japan, through UNICEF, donated 500 portable vaccine carriers worth over LKR5 million (USD0.026 million) to strengthen the country's vaccination program; (x) 21 May 2021, The Australian government donated LKR952 million (USD4.9 million) worth of essential medical equipment to strengthen Covid-19 treatment services in Sri Lanka; (xi) No amount/estimate: 24 May 2021, The cabinet approved the purchase of 14 million doses of Sinopharm and 1 million doses of Astrazeneca to vaccinate 60%-70% of the population by the end of the year; (xii) 25 May 2021, The US government donated 4,700 PCR test kits worth LKR13 million (USD0.066 million) to the Ministry of Health; (xiii) 4 June 2021, UNFPA Sri Lanka through the support of the Government of Canada delivered portable delivery beds, infant warmers, infusion pumps and other medical equipment worth LKR19.216 million (CAD116,239) to the Ministry of Health to aid hospital care centers in setting up separate maternal care unit for mothers who have contracted the virus and isolated units for pregnant mothers and newborns suspected of having contracted the virus; (xiv) No amount/estimate: 8 June 2021, The Ministry of Health notified that the COVID-19 vaccine will be given to vulnerable pregnant mothers starting 9 June 2021; (xv) 10 June 2021, The Australian government handed over a stock of essential personal protective clothing worth LKR38 million to the Ministry of Health; (xvi) 11 June 2021, The Foreign Minister welcomed Australian assistance in the form of a COVID-19 containment package amounting to LKR1.787 billion and the 9.8 million facemasks and 3,200 coveralls delivered to the Ministry of Health on 4 June 2021; (xvii) 11 June 2021, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donated medical equipment worth more than LKR6 million including PPE kits necessary for healthcare workers, 240,000 KN95 masks, 40,000 goggles, 600,000 gloves and 1,200 pulse oximeters for COVID treatments; (xviii) 28 June 2021, The Government of Switzerland handed over USD4 million worth of medical supplies to Sri Lanka including oxygen concentrators, ventilators and Antigen test kits, among other supplies, among others; (xix) No amount/estimate: 5 July 2021, A consignment of Pfizer vaccines arrived in Colombo, the first batch of 800,000 doses to be delivered in the next few weeks. A total of five million vaccines financed through the World Bank's Sri Lanka COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Project will be supplied by December 2021; (xx) 12 July 2021, Canada donated around USD1 million worth of supplies to Sri Lanka through UNICEF. The supplies include essential intensive care unit equipment such as ventilators, nebulizers, multipara monitors and pulse oximeters; No amount/estimate: (xxi) 15 July 2021, Japan will provide 1.45 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in Japan through the COVAX Facility; (xxii) 16 July 2021, The U.S. has donated over 1.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Sri Lanka. These vaccines, delivered through COVAX, will save lives and increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage essential to ending the pandemic; (xxiii) 16 July 2021, Sri Lanka receives over 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX; (xxiv) 16 July 2021, The United States has provided over USD8 million to Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 response and recovery; (xxv) 22 July 2021, The United States donates 500,000 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) worth SLR300 million (USD1.5 million); No amount/estimate: (xxvi) As of 27 July 2021, Doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines donated by China: 600 thousand on 31 March 2021, 500 thousand on 26 May 2021, 1.6 million on 27 July 2021; (xxvii) 22 August 2021, 100 tons of medical-grade oxygen ordered from India were rushed to Sri Lanka by Indian Naval Ship Shakti; (xxviii) 22 August 2021, Pakistan donated 75 ventilators and 150 C-PAP breathing aid machines, manufactured in Pakistan; (xxix) 25 August 2021, The MOH received the second batch of cold chain equipment procured by UNICEF with funding from the Government of Japan. The second batch includes 750 vaccine carriers, 300 cold boxes, 100 Ice-Lined Refrigerators (ILRs), 145 fridge temperature monitors and Android Tablets for effective management of vaccines. The first batch of 500 vaccine carriers were handed over in April 2021; (xxx) No amount/estimate: 1 September 2021, Thailand donates 30 oxygen concentrators, 02 ventilators, 108 oxygen tanks, 62 regulators/ cannulae sets, 160 pulse oximeters and 150 personal protective equipment (PPE) sets; (xxxi) 21 September 2021, To date, Sri Lanka has vaccinated 50% (10 million) of its total population, covering over 10 million with both doses surpassing the WHO’s targets and is likely to surpass its own target of vaccinating 60% of the population by 31 December 2021; (xxxii) 24 September 2021, Boxes of indigenous medicines to fight the COVID-19 will be distributed to households beginning with areas where the residents are vulnerable to the pandemic; (xxiii) 27 September 2021, The United Kingdom (UK) is providing lifesaving medical equipment for high-risk pregnant mothers and infants identified with COVID-19 to 11 public maternal hospitals across the island. The initiative is funded by the UK’s International Program Fund and led by UNICEF. It will support the health care system by adding over 100 pieces of medical equipment, including High Dependency Unit beds, multipara monitors, syringe pumps, adult suckers and infusion pumps; (xxiv) 1 October 2021, The US donates nearly 800,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines; (xxv) 21 October 2021, Vaccinations of school children in the age group of 18-19 years commences; (xxvi) 1 November 2021, Start of booster shots for frontline health workers including tri-service men, Policemen, health and tourism sector personnel and other selected front liners [update].

05B - Income support LKR46,009,785,000 USD248,625,367
05B1 - Tax and contribution deferrals and policy changes

(i) 4 June 2020, No late payment charges will be imposed on income taxes up until 30 June 2020; (iii) 25 June 2020, Tax relief measures to SMEs in the form of wavering of income tax arrears on assessments issued up to the year of assessment 2018/19, non-issuance of additional assessments for the year 2019/20, granting grace period to settle taxes in arrears/default, extension on seizure notices, and extension of the dates for the payment of taxes and filing of tax returns; (iv) 3 July 2020, Submission of various tax returns/statements was extended until 31 Dec 2020; (v) 3 November 2020, The Inland Revenue Department has extended the deadline for the payment of income taxes for the 2019/2020 assessment year from 30 November 2020 to 28 February 2021, exempting any penalties that could otherwise apply on delays.

05B2 - Tax and contribution rates reduction

No amount/estimate: (i) 8 September 2020, The President removed the 14% income tax imposed on profits earned by gem and jewelry manufacturers and the 15% tax on gold imports to support the industry; (ii) 2 December 2020, The President announced that the agriculture, fisheries and poultry sectors will be exempted from income tax for the next 5 years. Tax concessions will be granted for strategic investments larger than USD10 million for agricultural product processing, IT, dairy, fabric, tourism, and export industries.

05B3 - Subsidies to individuals and households LKR46,009,785,000 USD248,625,367

(i) No amount/estimate: 24 March 2020, The 2.4 million beneficiaries of the Samurdhi program will also receive food stamps for essential food items on a weekly basis; (ii) 30 March 2020, Two rounds of monthly cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households totaling around 0.25% of GDP was made in April and May; No amount/estimate: (iii) 30 March 2020, Payment of electricity and water utility bills (both electricity and water utility operators are state-owned entities) that are below LKR15,000 were extended until end-April 2020; (iv) 14 May 2020, The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, trade unions, and the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations reached a tripartite agreement to pro-rate wages based on varied levels of staff deployment. According to the agreement, employers will pay wages for days worked based on the basic salary; and for days not worked, wages will be paid at 50% of the basic pay or LKR14,500, whichever is higher from May to September; On 27 October 2020, the Cabinet extended the grace period for the payment of salaries of private sector employees up to December; On 11 January 2021, the concessionary payments to private sector employees were extended up to 31 March 2021; (v) 15 July 2020, Consumers were provided relief for electricity bills during the months of March to May, charging the lower February bill for these months, with a grace period of 2 months to settle the bill; the power supply disconnection normally done for late payments has also been temporarily suspended; (vi) 5 October 2020, The Cabinet approved the payment of a one-time sum of LKR15,000/per person allowance for tourist drivers and a one-time sum of LKR20,000/per person allowance for tourist guides registered under the SLTDA as part of the government's support to the tourism industry; (vii) 5 November 2020, The government has allocated SLR6,962.83 million to provide an allowance of SLR5,000 to families who have lost their livelihoods due to the quarantine curfews imposed in 5 districts of the country since early October 2020. A further SLR336.54 million has been allocated to provide dry food rations to families under home quarantine in 20 districts. 29 May 2021, The Government has decided to once again provide a LKR5,000 allowance to around 6.5 million low-income families, Samurdhi recipients and those who have lost their sources of income owing to the coronavirus; (viii) No amount/estimate: 4 March 2021, The first phase of providing free electricity connections to low-income families and Samurdhi recipients across the country will commence on 6 March 2021; (ix) No amount/estimate: 7 June 2021, The government will purchase unsold stocks of fruits and vegetables directly from farmers and distribute them free of charge to COVID Treatment Centers, all Government Hospitals, Tri-Forces, Displaced Camps, and families who have lost their livelihood until the travel restrictions lifted up; (x) 11 August 2021, SLR 81.64 million to provide financial relief to the tourist guides and drivers registered with the Tourism Development Authority who have been affected by the Covid pandemic; (xi) No amount/estimate: 23 August 2021, an allowance of SLR2,000 per family will be given to those who have lost their jobs due to the temporary closure of the country to control the spread of COVID-19.

05B4 - Subsidies to businesses

No amount/estimate: (i) 26 June 2020, Together with the credit guarantee, an interest subsidy scheme will be launched on 1 July 2020. CBSL will provide a 5% interest subsidy to cover the cost of funds of banks; (ii) 2 September 2020, The Cabinet approved the allocation, from the General Treasury, of essential recurrent expenditures of government media institutions for a period of 4 months from September to December; (iii) 1 October 2020, In connection with the government's decision to support the tourism industry, tourist resorts registered under the SLTDA were given the chance to pay their accumulated electricity bills from 1 Mar 2020 to 31 Aug 2020 in 12 equal installments from 1 Sep 2020; further, power supply during this period will not be disconnected; (iv) 11 November 2020, Passenger bus owners were provided relief (i.e, waiver of various permit and access charges) from March to maintain intercity passenger transport services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic conditions, which has been extended until the end of the year; 10 May 2021, The concession to bus owners was extended up to 30 September 2021; (v) 19 January 2021, The Cabinet provided the opportunity for film theaters registered under National Film Cooperation to settle electricity bills from March to December 2020 in 12 equal installments and avoid any electricity connection interruptions; Similarly, inns registered under the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority were also permitted to settle electricity bills and water bills from 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2021 in 12 equal installments without any interruption in supply; (vi) 15 February 2021, Cabinet approval has been given to extend the exemption of aircraft landing and parking charges from airplanes landing and parking at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport and Bandaranaike International Airport until 19 July 2021 to attract more tourists and strengthen the tourism industry; (vii) 24 September 2021, The Government has decided to extend the relief package given to the stakeholders of the tourism industry to repay their loans by another 9 months.

05B5 - Indirect income support
05B6 - No breakdown (income support)

19 January 2021, Cabinet approval was given for a 6-month grace period from the date of the bill and avoid interruption of electricity connection for the domestic, commercial, and industrial electricity consumers within the areas isolated for more than 14 days continuously in order to settle their electricity bills pertaining to the specified period. Arrangements for delayed bill repayments of registered tourism establishments’ bills for the Mar 2020-Feb 2021 period and movie theatres’ unpaid electricity bills for the period Mar-Dec 2020 can be repaid in 12 equal installment.

05C - No breakdown (health and income support)
06 - Budget reallocation info_outline
07 - Central bank financing government
07A - Direct lending and reserve drawdown
07B - Secondary purchase: government securities
08 - International Assistance Received LKR1,103,681,009,992 USD5,964,016,052
08A - Swaps info_outline LKR536,664,372,000 USD2,900,000,000

(i) 15 April 2020, Approval was obtained by Sri Lanka to enter into a Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for USD400 million; On 24 July 2020, CBSL and RBI entered a USD400 million swap under the Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC countries; (ii) 24 May 2020, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested India to provide a special USD1.1 billion currency swap facility to boost the country's draining foreign exchange reserves in view of the economic slowdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is on top of the USD400 million foreign exchange swap with the Reserve Bank of India that the government sought under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) framework; (iii) 24 July 2020, CBSL entered into an agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for a USD1 billion repo facility to meet the contingent liquidity needs of the government (no withdrawal has been made form the facility); (iv) 22 March 2021, CBSL entered into a bilateral currency swap agreement with the People's Bank of China amounting to USD1.5 billion, valid for a period of 3 years.

08B - International loans/grants LKR567,016,637,992 USD3,064,016,052
08B1 - Asian Development Bank LKR100,941,016,673 USD545,460,000

(i) 12 March 2020, USD0.6 million grant for Health System Enhancement Project under ADF; (ii) April 2020, USD0.01 million TASF - Preparing the Health System Enhancement Project; (iii) April 2020, USD1 million - TA9950-REG: Regional Support to Address the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Potential Outbreaks of Other Communicable Diseases. As of 8 October 2021, the amount increased to USD2.56 million; (iv) 7 April 2020, USD0.05 million TASF - Regional Project Development Support for the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Operational Plan, 2016–2025; (v) 10 April 2020, USD14.4 million (USD10 million loan and USD4.4 million grant) for Health System Enhancement Project; (vi) April 2020, USD63.4 million (Regular OCR) - Trade Finance Program (Guarantee). As of 5 November 2021, the amount is USD128.20 million [update]; (vii) April 2020, USD25 million (Regular OCR) - Trade Finance Program (Loan). As of 16 April 2021, the amount is USD5.5 million; (viii) 20 May 2020, USD0.17 million TASF - Regional Support to Address Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Strengthen Health Systems Preparedness for Communicable Diseases in South Asia. As of 24 July 2020, the increased to USD0.21 million; (ix) 2 June 2020, USD3 million COVID-19 Emergency Response under the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund; (x) 29 June 2020, USD0.50 million TASF - Planning for Economic Recovery of South Asia from COVID-19; (xi) 21 July 2020, USD0.12 million (OCR) Railway Efficiency Improvement Project. As of 18 September 2020, the amount increased to USD0.20 million; (xii) 24 July 2020, USD0.07 million (TASF) Due Diligence and Capacity Development of Trade Finance Program Banks (Subproject 3). As of 16 October 2020, the amount decreased to USD0.07 million; (xiii) 10 August 2020, USD1.33 million (COL) Science and Technology Human Resource Development Project; (xiv) 4 September 2020, USD0.13 million TASF - Enhancing Gender Quality Results of South Asia COVID-19 Response; (xv) September 2020, USD1.45 million (OCR) Supply Chain Finance Program (Loan). As of 22 May 2021, the loan amount is USD0.99 million; (xvi) 6 October 2020, USD0.02 million TASF - Capacity Development for the Supply Chain Finance Program (Phase 2) (Subproject 3); (xvii) 22 October 2020, USD0.05 million (COL) Greater Colombo Water and Wastewater Management Improvement Investment Program - Tranche 1; (xviii) 5 November 2020, USD0.09 million TASF - Creating Investable Cities in Post-COVID-19 Asia-Pacific. As of 18 December 2020, the amount increased to USD0.11 million; (xix) 23 November 2020, USD165 million Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Line of Credit Project; (xx) 3 December 2020, USD0.5 million TASF - Supporting National Development Planning towards Recovery from COVID-19; (xxi) 27 January 2021, USD0.18 million TASF - Improving Project Readiness and Portfolio Management (Supplementary); (xxii) 8 July 2021, USD150 million (OCR) - Responsive COVID-19 Vaccines for Recovery Project under the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility; (xxiii) 2 August 2021 USD0.50 million TASF - Support for Human Capital Development Initiative (Supplementary); (xxiii) 7 September 2021, USD0.19 million TASF - Due Diligence and Capacity Development of Trade Finance Program Banks (Subproject 4); (xxiv) 22 September 2021, USD0.06 million OSF - Fostering Regional Cooperation and Integration through Knowledge and Capacity Building of Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program Banks; (xxv) 30 September 2021, USD71.10 (OCR) - Health System enhancement Project additional financing.

08B2 - Other LKR466,075,621,319 USD2,518,556,052

(i) 19 March 2020, China Development Bank has provided a concessionary loan of USD500 million with a term of 10 years, to help Sri Lanka to better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic; On 12 April 2021, another USD500 million loan was signed; (ii) 2 April 2020, The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the USD128.6 million Sri Lanka COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project to help the country prevent, detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness; (iii) April 2020, USD1 million UN COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund from the UNDP; (iv) 9 April 2020, The European Union provides EUR22 million (USD24.3 million; EUR0.904/$1) grant to Sri Lanka. This includes (a) EUR2 million for health, for equipment and medical supplies to be procured by the World Health Organisation and to strengthen laboratory networks in the country; (b) EUR16.5 million for the agricultural sector; and (c) EUR3.5 million for the tourism industry, in particular the smaller operators and their employees; (v) May 2020, More than USD5.8 million in total assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) includes USD2 million in ESF to increase social services for areas and populations most affected by the COVID-19 crisis, address the specific threats to social cohesion, and mitigate negative economic impacts; USD2 million in additional ESF for strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises and increasing women’s economic participation; and USD1.3 million in health assistance to help the Sri Lankan Government prepare laboratory systems, activate case-finding and event-based surveillance, support technical experts for response and preparedness, conduct risk-communications, prevent and control infectious diseases in health facilities, and more. Finally, USD0.59 million in MRA humanitarian assistance will support vulnerable people during the pandemic. 25 May 2021, The US government donated 4,700 PCR test kits worth LKR13 million (USD0.066 million) to the Ministry of Health. 11 June 2021, The USAID donates medical equipment worth more than LKR6 million including PPE kits necessary for healthcare workers, 240,000 KN95 masks, 40,000 goggles, 600,000 gloves and 1,200 pulse oximeters for COVID treatments. 16 July 2021, To date, the US has provided over USD8 million to Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 response and recovery. 22 July 2021, The US donates 500,000 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) worth SLR300 million (USD1.5 million). 1 October 2021, The US donates nearly 800,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. To date, the US, through USAID, has provided over USD17.9 million to Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 response and recovery, including a donation of 200 portable ventilators. 21 October 2021, The US, through the USAID, announced an additional USD2.5 million in urgent COVID-19 assistance for Sri Lanka to accelerate equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations and strengthen the ability of health workers to address COVID-19; (vi) 22 June 2020, USD87.24 million (commitment amount) Sri Lanka COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project Additional Financing from the World Bank; (vii) 8 July 2020, The Government of Japan has provided a total sum of JPY800 million, approximately LKR1,400 million or USD7.5 million (JPY107.293/$1) to the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the health sector to tackle COVID-19 through the provision of medical equipment. As of 15 July 2021, Japan has provided USD16.2 million to Sri Lanka to assist its efforts to combat COVID-19; (viii) 11 September 2020, The World Bank has reallocated USD56 million from ongoing projects in Sri Lanka to protect the most vulnerable in the agriculture sector, improve COVID-19 protection measures on public transport, facilitate tele-education for school children, and provide digital solutions to improve delivery of public services; (ix) 8 October 2020, Temasek Foundation of Singapore donated over USD20 million worth of face masks to assist the government in its fight against COVID-19; (x) 9 January 2021, The Republic of Korea has donated USD3 million worth of PCR test kits to strengthen the country's anti-COVID campaign. 7 October 2021, The Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) donated a consignment including PCR detection kits and 5 PCR machines for rapid testing valued at USD0.45 million; (xi) 8 February 2021, The Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank has agreed to provide a Sri Lanka Covid 19 Emergency and Crisis Response Facility to fund sectors most affected by the pandemic such as tourism, apparel, construction, trade, manufacturing, agricultural exports, and healthcare. Two loans worth USD90 million each will be provided to People's Bank and Bank of Ceylon for this project; (xii) 31 March 2021, Sri Lanka received 600,000 doses of Sinopharm from the PRC, which was administered only to Chinese nationals until approval from WHO was granted on 7 May 2021 for its emergency use; On 26 May 2021, a second stock of 500,000 doses of Sinopharm donated by the PRC arrived; (xiii) 22 April 2021, The World Bank provided USD69.33 million loan for Kandy to redevelop a major transit terminal to support road safety, tourism, and COVID recovery; (xiv) 1 May 2021, The government of Japan, through UNICEF, donated 500 portable vaccine carriers worth over LKR5 million (USD0.026 million) to strengthen the country's vaccination program; (xv) 21 May 2021, The Australian government donated LKR952 million (USD4.9 million) worth of essential medical equipment to strengthen Covid-19 treatment services in Sri Lanka; (xvi) 4 June 2021, UNFPA Sri Lanka through the support of the Government of Canada delivered portable delivery beds, infant warmers, infusion pumps and other medical equipment worth LKR19.216 million (CAD116,239) to the Ministry of Health to aid hospital care centers in setting up separate maternal care unit for mothers who have contracted the virus and isolated units for pregnant mothers and newborns suspected of having contracted the virus; (xvii) 19 May 2021, Australia’s overall package of support in the form of a COVID-19 containment package, through UNICEF, totals LKR952 million (AUD6.2 million) and is focused on bolstering health security, promoting social cohesion and stability for Sri Lankan communities and supporting economic recovery. A first consignment of urgently needed oxygen concentrators and other vital equipment has been delivered to the Ministry of Health (MOH). 4 June 2021, and 9.8 million facemasks and 3,200 coveralls has been delivered to MOH. 10 June 2021, The Australian government handed over a stock of essential personal protective clothing worth LKR38 million to MOH. 11 June 2021, the overall package through UNICEF is now at AUD11.7 million (LKR1.787 billion). 7 October 2021, a second consignment of essential equipment through UNICEF has been delivered to MOH; (xviii) 28 June 2021, The Government of Switzerland handed over USD4 million worth of medical supplies to Sri Lanka including oxygen concentrators, ventilators and Antigen test kits, among other supplies, among others; (xix) 12 July 2021, Canada donated around USD1 million worth of supplies to Sri Lanka through UNICEF. The supplies include essential intensive care unit equipment such as ventilators, nebulizers, multipara monitors and pulse oximeters; (xx) 23 August 2021, Sri Lanka has received an SDR allocation equivalent to USD787 million from the International Monetary Fund; (xxi) No amount/estimate: 27 September 2021, The United Kingdom (UK), through UNICEF, is providing over 100 peices of medical equipment (i.e. High Dependency Unit beds, multipara monitors, syringe pumps, adult suckers and infusion pumps) for high-risk pregnant mothers and infants identified with COVID-19 to 11 public maternal hospitals across the island; (xxii) 30 September 2021, USD100 million as third additional financing for Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Project.

09 - International Assistance Provided
09A - Swaps info_outline
09B - International loans/grants
10 - No breakdown

27 March 2020, The CBSL has decided to set up a LKR50 billion Re-financing Facility in order to implement the decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers on 20 March to introduce a wide range of fiscal and financial concessions for COVID-19 hit business activities including self-employment businesses and individuals. Among these concessions are debt moratorium (capital and interest) and a working capital loan at the interest rate of 4% per annum for eligible customers to be repaid in 2 years (Amount included in Measure 2A).

11 - Other Economic Measures

(i) 17 March 2020, Tax exemptions on the importation and supply of masks, disinfectant, machinery and equipment including medical, surgical, and dental instruments, and price ceilings on essential food item such as lentils, eggs and canned fish; (ii) 3 April 2020, Imports of non-essential goods including vehicles and plastic goods were suspended; (iii) 23 April 2020, Import duties on petrol and diesel were increased to mitigate weak revenue collections, but this was reversed in late June 2020; (iv) 21 May 2020: Sri Lanka, lifted its import restrictions on several products despite retaining the ban on vehicle imports, as part of its COVID-19 economic revival plan; (v) 22 May 2020, Sri Lanka lifted import bans except for vehicles in COVID-19 economic recovery plan; (vi) 18 June 2020, Suspension of the tea promotion levy of SLR3.50/kg for 6 months; (vii) 15 September 2020, The government removed a number of items from its import restrictions including articles of clothing and certain types of special purpose motor vehicles; (viii) 13 October 2020, With due consideration to the current cost of living and difficulties associated with COVID-19 the government has removed import duties on essential commodities such as dhal, canned fish, B onions, and sugar; (ix) 14 December 2020, Certain items such as insecticides and batik clothing can now be imported after obtaining import licenses; (x) 24 December 2020, The government eased import restrictions on certain items including different types of tyres, leathers, household articles, and men's clothing by moving them from temporary suspension to supplier credit; (xi) 5 January 2021, Certain types of new pneumatic tyres, of rubber, used for motorcycles, for bicycles were moved into temporary import suspension; (xii) 18 February 2021, All exporters should receive the export proceeds in Sri Lanka within 180 days from the date of shipment and submit all documentary evidence on each and every receipt of export proceeds to the licensed banks that received them; (xiii) 30 September 2021, Considering the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs and the public due to the existing restrictions on imports of non-essential goods and equipment, the Prime Minister instructed the CBSL to minimize current import restrictions as much as possible on these items.

12 - Non-Economic Measures
12A - Measures affecting travel and transport (local and international)

(i) 11 March 2020, Suspension of visa on arrival for tourists; (ii) 20 March 2020, The authorities suspended all arriving international flights and ships; (iii) 22 March 2020, All inbound passenger flights and passenger ships were suspended, excluding repatriations; (iv) 26 December 2020, The government arranged special repatriation flights for migrant workers, students, patients, short-term visa holders, government and military officials. All inbound travellers to Sri Lanka need approval from the Foreign Secretary and the Civial Aviation Authority; (v) 21 January 2021, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was reopened for tourists strictly adhering to the guidelines and circular of the health sector; (vi) 12 May 2021, Travel restrictions have been imposed from 11:00pm to 4:00am daily until 21 June 2021 (from 31 May, 7 and 14 June 2021). 21 June 2021, Travel restrictions have been relaxed from 4:00am. 23 June 2021, travel restrictions have been reimposed from 10:00pm until 4:00am of 25 June 2021. 26 October 2021, Night time travel restrictions imposed between 11.00 p.m. and 4.00 a.m. have been removed [update]; (vii) 13 May 2021, Islandwide travel restrictions has been imposed from 11:00pm to 4:00am daily until further notice (from 17 and 31 May, and 7, 14 and 21 June 2021). 8 October 2021, Inter-provincial travel restrictions extended until 31 October 2021 (from 21 October 2021). 31 October 2021, inter-provincial travel restrictions have been lifted [update]; (viii) 19 May 2021, All inbound passenger arrivals to Sri Lanka have been suspended from 11:59pm 21 May to 11:59pm 31 May 2021. (ix) 1 June 2021, All inbound passenger arrivals are permtited entry to Sri Lanka, except those originating from India. Incoming flights must carry only a maximum of 75 passengers and all passengers will be subject to a 14-day quarantine; (x) 26 June 2021, The Ministry of Health has revised the quarantine measures imposed for travelers arriving in Sri Lanka: all travelers arriving in Sri Lanka should mandatorily carry a negative COVID-19 test report; travelers who have received the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine should carry the original vaccination certificate/ card or a verifiable evidence of vaccination; and travelers 12 years and above should undergo COVID-19 PCR test on arrival from a Ministry of Health approved private sector laboratory or a state sector laboratory; (xi) 28 June 2021, Passengers with a travel history (including transit) in the past 14 days from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe will not be allowed to disembark in Sri Lanka from 0001 hours on 1 July 2021 until 2359 hours on 31 July 2021; (xii) 1 July 2021, Restrictions have been removed for arrivals from the following Middle Eastern countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates subject to certain conditions; (xiii) 7 August 2021, Validity period of all types of visas issued to all foreigners who are currently residing in Sri Lanka has been extended for a period of 30 days with effect from 8 August to 7 September 2021 to allow all the foreigners to regularize their visas accordingly. 5 October 2021, period of valid visa of all categories which were obtained by foreigners staying in Sri Lanka at present was extended for 30 days from 7 October to 6 November 2021; (xiv) 16 August 2021, New health guidelines until 31 August 2021: only one person is allowed to leave the house except when going out for work or healthcare; (xv) 18 August 2021, New set of quarantine guidelines for foreign tourists and air passengers visiting Sri Lanka issued by the MOH: all travelers arriving in the country from abroad should undergo a PCR test on arrival at the airport; they will then be required to stay at a quarantine hotel or quarantine center until the test results are available; a 14-day is not required of fully vaccinated individuals with negative PCR test, but is required of visitors who not fully vaccinated even with negative PCR test; (xvi) 20 August 2021, The government imposed a 10-day nationwide quarantine curfew from 10:00pm of until 4;00am of 30 August 2021. Transportation is permitted only for licensed essential and delivery services. People over the age of 65 are advised not to leave the home for any reason except for health needs; (xvii) 3 September 2021, Sri Lanka will continue to be locked down for another 7-day period until 1 October 2021 (from 21 and 13 September 2021); (xviii) 29 September 2021, Fully vaccinated tourists and Sri Lankans having an negative PCR test result at the point of embarkation will no longer need to get a PCR test at the BIA; (xix) 1 October 2021, Fully vaccinated domestic and foreign passengers arriving in Sri Lanka from will be allowed to leave for their destinations without having to undergo another PCR test on arrival at the local airport, if they are tested negative for a PCR Test at the point of embarkation; (xx) 1 October 2021, Quarantine curfew has been lifted at 4:00am; (xxi) 26 October 2021, Singapore removed Sri Lanka from its travel restriction list [update].

12B - Measures affecting business and workplace

(i) 19 March 2020, Government declared a work-from-home arrangement for the public and private sectors, which was extended until 20 April; (ii) 26 March 2020, essential services, including central bank, commercial banks, insurance services, and treasury, remained open; (ii) 15 October 2020, Movie theaters were temporarily closed until October 31; 28 December 2020, Prime Minister Rajapaksa has permitted the reopening of cinemas starting 1 January 2021 under strict, new health protocols to revive the entertainment industry; (iii) 1 May 2021, New guidelines to curb COVID-19 were issued: meetings and seminars are banned until 21 May 2021; supermarkets and financial institutions should operate at 25% of total capacity; theaters, parks, pools, bars, night clubs, and spas are closed; hotel occupancy should be at 50% of total capacity; open markets and fairs should operate at 25% capacity; (iv) 11 June 2021, Essential services including food supplies and distribution, apparel and other industries, major construction projects, agricultural activities and organic fertilizer production are permitted to function during the period of travel restriction. Rural weekly fairs outside the Western province are allowed on the scheduled day with limitied participation. Economic centers will open for 2 days next week; (v) 16 August 2021, New health guidelines until 31 August 2021: shopping malls are allowed to open and serve a maximum of 25% of the total customer capacity in the space at a time. The same applies to supermarkets, hotels and resorts. Pre-Schools, Schools, Higher Education Centers including Universities, Tuition Classes will remain closed until further notice. Day care centers will be closed for two weeks. Bodybuilding centers, gymnasiums and indoor Sports complexes, swimming pools, and spas will be closed until 31 August 2021; (vi) 21 August 2021, Following the 10-day quarantine imposed on 20 August 2021, health services including emergency services at all curative care health institutions, ambulance, laboratory and diagnostic services, pharmacies, COVID vaccination programs will continue to operate as usual; MOH offices and staff will be fully functional; no routine clinics will be held, but medicines will be sent to registered clinic patients and essential home visits for maternal and child healthcare services by Public Health Midwifery MOH team for high-risk target group; family planning services are to be provided on demand; police stations, Grama Niladhari, all field-based officials and local government authorities with the required staff, as decided by the relevant authority will continue to operate; maintenance of utility services including electricity, water, telecommunications, petrol stations, LP gas stations, motor garages/ tire services with required staff to maintain services and respond to urgent breakdowns and road maintenance/constructions will continue to operate; daily paid laborers at constructions sites, etc. are allowed to work with specific restrictions imposed to employers on social distancing and basic hygiene measures; distributors of essential goods are permitted; banks will remain open only for limited financial transactions; customers are encouraged to do online banking; (vii) 21 October 2021, Sports is allowed and cinemas can operate at 25% of seating capacity; (viii) 1 November 2021, Economic centers, sathi pola, open markets, mobile vendors reopen for business; barbers, salon and tailors can accept by-appointment customers; dine-in restaurants/ shops/ groceries/ pharmacies/ supermarkets are allowed to accept customers at 1/3 of the maximum establishment capacity; gyms can operate at 30% capacity, cinemas/ theaters at 25% capacity; financial institutions can accept 15 persons at a time within their premises; courts and industries to operate according to health guidelines [update].

12C - Others

(i) 13 March 2020, schools and universities closed until 20 April 2020; 10 August 2020, Local schools have been allowed to reopen in several phases so as to prevent overcrowding within confined spaces. Accordingly, certain days of the week have been reserved for particular grades and students to attend school; 4 October 2020, Classes in the Gampaha and Colombo districts have been suspended until further notice. 9 March 2021, All schools in all parts of the country except the Western Province will be reopened on 15 March 2021, for all grades. In the Western Province only Grade 5, Grade 11, and Grade 13 will start on 15 March, the other grades will start on April 19. Likewise, Colombo, Kalutara, and Gampaha districts in the Western Province will start on 19 April 2021. 29 March 2021, All grades in the Western Province, including preschools as well as all schools in the country has been reopened. 22 April 2021, Reopening of universitites scheduled on 27 April 2021 has been postponed for another 2 weeks. 27 April 2021, The Minister of Education closed all schools islandwide. On 1 May 2021, it was announced that schools will remain closed until 7 May 2021. On 7 May 2021, closure was extended until further notice; 25 October 2021, Academic activities of primary sections of all schools in the island has resumed after 6 months [update]. 1 November 2021, Day care, preschool (50% capacity), higher education centers, universities and vocational training institutes (50% capacity) and resumption of examinations reopen [update]. 16 November 2021, tuition classes at 50% of usual capacity reopens [update]; 1 December 2021, resumption of exhibitions and conventions [update]; (ii) 20 March 2020, The authorities imposed a strict nation-wide curfew, which was gradually eased on 11 May 2020, and was fully relaxed on 6 June 2020; barring large public gatherings. 23 March 2020, An island-wide curfew was imposed. 29 June 2020, Night-time curfew removed across the island. Gatherings continue to be subject to public health guidelines. Use of masks in public remains mandatory. 4 October 2020, Curfews have been imposed in some jurisdictions due to the increase in cases from a garment factory. 28 October 2020, A quarantine curfew has been imposed in the entire Western province, which includes Colombo, from 29 October 2020 (12:00 am) to 2 November 2020 (5:00 am); 1 November 2020, The curfew was extended until 9 November 2020 (5:00 am); (iii) 20 April 2020, All forms of functions, pilgrimages and pleasure tours, carnivals, processions and meetings continued to be banned; (iv) 15 October 2020, Extraordinary Gazette No. 2197/25 was issued under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance to widen legal grounds for quarantine measures and to make the wearing of masks and maintaining of one-meter social distancing mandatory in public places; (v) 29 April 2021, Individuals leaving and entering the Western Province were subjected to rapid antigen testing from 12:00 pm today onward; (vi) 1 May 2021, New guidelines to curb COVID-19 were issued: events and public gatherings in closed and open spaces are not allowed, including religious gatherings, musical shows, parties, and festivals; weddings are not permitted from 4 to 20 May 2021. 16 July 2021, The Ministry of Health issues preventive measures at religious places, among which, is a limit of 100 persons per prayer hall. 6 August 2021, The number of people who can attend a wedding has been limited to 100 to 150 depending on the seating capacity of reception hall of the venue; while the number of people who can attend funerals has been limited to 50 people. Government functions have been postposed until 1 September 2021. 16 August 2021, Children's parks, carnivals, concerts, beach parties and beach gatherings will be banned until 31 August 2021. 21 August 2021, All non-essential activities including religious and social gatherings, restaurants, hotels, guest houses, village fairs, tuition classes, sports festivals, cinemas, spas, etc. have not been allowed to operate, following the 10-day quarantine imposed on 21 August 2021. Funerals for non-COVID-19 deaths must be completed within 24 hours with the participation of only the closest relatives in the family. 21 October 2021, Weddings are permitted with maximum 50 guests indoor and 75 outdoor. Non-COVID funerals can be held with 20 people at any given time. As of 1 November 2021, The number of allowed participants to meetings/ events/ private gatherings/ weddings is 1/3 of the maximum venue capacity; funerals can be held with 20- person attendance; sports activities are allowed [update].