Amount of US$ into or out of country increased

The amount of foreign currency that can be brought in to the country has been increased to US$15,000 while the amount that can be taken out of the country has been increased to US$10,000 with effect from January 1, 2018, Customs Media Spokesman and Deputy Director, Sunil Jayaratne said.

He said this was announced in an extraordinary gazette notification issued by the government last week.

"However, where a person arriving in Sri Lanka intends to take back foreign currency notes exceeding US$10,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies or departing from Sri Lanka carries foreign currency notes exceeding US$10,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies is required to make a declaration to the Customs Department.

"Any person resident in Sri Lanka may take out or bring into country, up to Rs.20,000 in Sri Lankan currency notes. Any authorized dealer may export from or import to Sri Lanka, foreign currency which has been acquired in or for the normal course of their business and within the terms of his authorization, the gazette notification said. (Chaturanga Pradeep)