Loans, leasing concessions for tourism sector extended by another 6 months: Tourism Ministry

Loans and leasing relief packages provided for those who are engaged in the tourism sector due to the COVID epidemic, have been extended by another six months, the Tourism Ministry said.

They said the Central Bank (CB) had agreed to issue a circular to extend the leasing facility for them and to issue a loan relief circular in the coming weeks.

The CB had agreed with extending the relief package duration following a discussion with Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga at the CB Auditorium recently.

Minister Ranatunga said those who engaged in the field of tourism suffered enormously due to the Easter Sunday attack, also from the COVID pandemic.

“There is no use of providing short term solutions for them. Therefore, the Ministry had decided to discuss with CB over extending of the facilities for at least another six months,” he said.

The Minister also said complaints have been received that some finance companies have not honoured the leasing facilities which were permitted by the government. 

The CB Governor told all bank representatives to conduct immediate investigations and take actions against such financial institutions. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)