With a view to assist and maintain the financial system stability by minimizing the pressure on the exchange rate and preserving the foreign currency reserve position of the country, the Minister of Finance has issued Orders under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 (FEA) since 02.04.2020, to temporarily suspend/limit certain outward remittances, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka announces.

A media release issued by the CBSL also notes : “Considering the current and expected developments in the domestic foreign exchange market and with a view to further facilitate international transactions, the Minister of Finance, with the recommendation of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers, has issued a new Order under Section 22 of the FEA. This Order has relaxed certain limitations on outward remittances for capital transactions and removed the restrictions on current transfers of emigrants, while continuing the other suspensions/limitations which were imposed under the previous Order. The new Order is effective for six (06) months from 28.06.2023.”

The complete press release is as follows :