The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) has requested all licensed commercial banks and licensed specialised banks to carry out essential banking services, strictly adhering to all relevant safety measures and guidelines issued in providing banking services under the ongoing travel restrictions to control the spread of Covid-19. This decision was taken upon obtaining approval and consent from the Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardene and the Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennekoon,in response to several private banks deciding to close during this week. Accordingly, all licensed banks are to make necessary arrangements to provide uninterrupted banking services, the CBSL said. The CBSL requested that bank branches should only open to provide essential services such as trade financing, treasury operations, clearing activities, payment of pensions/salaries, responding to other urgent requests and inquiries of customers. They also requested that the number of staff permitted in one branch should not exceed 15. Meanwhile, staff shall report to work on a roster basis, or that the bank should only be open on specified days. Also, branch managers are to obtain prior approval of the nearest Police Station for the travel of the relevant staff by producing a request letter containing relevant information.