Sri Lanka COVID 19 Update : 04 April 2020

The total number patients infected with COVID 19 increased to 156 with the active cases reported at 128 as at 03rd April 2020. A total of 24 patients had recovered with 04 deaths reported to date

The curfew in all Districts in the Island with the excpetion 06 Districts including Colombo located in the Western, North Western, Northern and Central Provinces will be lifted between 06.00am and 02.00pm on the 06th of April 2020. The curfew will remain in effect until further notice in the 06 Districts which are identified as high risk zones.

Curfew has been declared with exemptions for critical services and essential economic activities to function. Accordingly, the following are permitted.

· Activities of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Licensed Commercial Banks, Insurance Services, and the Treasury

· Transportation of food, vegetables, gas, fuel and other essential items

· All farming activity, under strict guidelines from local authorities

· Travel for medical, security and media personnel for work requirements

· Only the state owned pharmacy chain to remain open

Stock Market Update

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announced that it will remain closed until the ongoing Island wide curfew is lifted. The decision was made taking in consideration the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) in order contain the COVID 19 pandemic and guidance received from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka in this regard.

Economy

· The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Further Reduces Policy Interest Rates

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), on the 03rd of April 2020, decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 25 basis points to 6.00 per cent and 7.00 per cent, respectively, effective from the close of business on the 03rd of April 2020. This decision will complement the measures taken thus far to ease market conditions, and enable the domestic financial market to provide further relief to businesses and individuals affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions placed to contain its spread within the country.

· World Bank fast-tracks $128 Million COVID-19 support for Sri Lanka

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved the $128.6 million Sri Lanka COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project to help the country prevent, detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness

http://www.adaderana.lk/news/62200/world-bank-fast-tracks-128-million-covid-19-support-for-sri-lanka