Banking services to remain open five days a week with half-day Wednesday schedule

The banking sector will continue uninterrupted weekday operations as the industry moves to balance essential financial services with ongoing fuel and energy conservation measures, the apex banking body said on Thursday.

The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) assured that all licensed commercial and specialised banks will remain open Monday to Friday, assuring continuity of core services despite temporary operational adjustments introduced to reduce non-essential energy use.

Under the revised schedule, branches will operate across the week, including Wednesdays, which will be restricted to a half-day service from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. The SLBA said the arrangement is designed to ensure that customers retain consistent access to essential banking services while supporting national efforts to conserve fuel and electricity.

At the same time, the association urged customers to increasingly migrate routine transactions to digital platforms, including mobile and internet banking, in a bid to reduce branch footfall and minimise travel-related fuel consumption. It also encouraged the public to plan branch visits only for essential requirements.

The SLBA said the measures align with broader national priorities aimed at easing pressure on fuel supplies, which have been strained by global market uncertainties, while safeguarding continuity in critical economic functions such as banking.

Reaffirming confidence in near-term stability, the association expressed expectation that external pressures affecting fuel availability would ease, allowing normal economic activity to proceed with minimal disruption.