State Banks told to utilize reliefs given by CB to strengthen economy & people

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has emphasized that it is the responsibility of state banks to utilize the reliefs provided by the Central Bank to strengthen the economy and the people, affected by COVID 19 pandemic.

“The global economies have been hit hard by coronavirus. As such all types of businesses including agriculture, small and medium enterprises should be directly assisted and uplifted to overcome the prevailing crisis,” President added. President Rajapaksa made these observations at a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday to review performance of the People’s Bank.

Following the discussion held with the Central Bank, opportunity is now open for state banks to create the environment that needed to revive the country’s economy.  The President said that we must move forward with a new development programme deviating from the traditional methods to achieve economic prosperity.

He went on to note that money should circulate across the country and it is the responsibility of the 600 People’s Bank branches in the country to deduce the true customers and business to issue loans. All managers are obliged to carry out follow up reviews of loans productivity.
President Rajapaksa noted that this is the right opportunity to take the banking system to the rural areas. President warned not to offer loans for importation purposes.

According to the Presidential Secretariat, he also stressed that respective parties must benefit from the 6 month relief period granted for the payment of leasing installments.  Priority should be given to construction companies as well. He further added that People’s Bank has the opportunity to meet the housing requirements of middle-income earners in collaboration with the Urban Development Authority.

Chairman of the People’s Bank, Sujeewa Rajapaksa briefed the President on the projects launched by them in the past 8 months.
Secretary to the President, P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance, S. R. Attygalle, General Manager, Boniface Silva, Board of Directors and the upper management of the People’s Bank and People’s Leasing were also present at the discussion.