No need to go looking for dollars on the black market - Cabraal

All banks registered under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) will provide US Dollars to those who require it and there is no need for them to go looking for dollars on the black market, State Minister of Money & Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal said. 

Mr Cabraal told Times Online that anyone looking to travel abroad can obtain dollars from a registered bank by producing their passport with the visa. Even a parent looking to purchase dollars for their child who is going to study abroad can also obtain them from banks, he added. 

US Dollars were currently fetching about Rs 202 at banks, but the state minister acknowledged that it might be fetching more on the black market. "Nevertheless, that is illegal, and we would like to caution people against it." 

The US Dollar was currently fetching between Rs 221-222 at certain money exchange places, Times Online found. Despite the state minister's claims that dollars were available, some bank branches at the Bandaranaike International Airport stated that the number of dollars being given had been restricted for passengers who were leaving on one-way tickets.