CBSL goes to public for illegal forex deals surveillance

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka yesterday requested the public to provide information on unauthorised foreign currency dealings as workers remittances plunged to a 13-year-old low of $ 259 million in January.

In a statement CBSL said the permission to buy, sell and exchange foreign currency in Sri Lanka is granted ONLY to authorised dealers (i.e. licensed banks) and money changers appointed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka  (CBSL). Therefore, foreign currency, shall be purchased, sold or exchanged only through an authorized  dealer or an authorised money changer.

CBSL said in terms of the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017, engaging in foreign currency transactions without permission of CBSL by any person, institution or any other entity is an unlawful activity. 

Therefore, if it is noted that any person, institution or any other entity is engaged in unauthorised  foreign exchange dealings, the public is hereby requested to inform the Foreign Exchange  Department of CBSL via the following telephone numbers or the email address. Telephone: +94 11 239 8827, +94 11 247 7375,  +94 11 239 8568 and Email: [email protected].