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Lankans in Italy still withholding remittances

08 Sep 2022

  • Complain of lack of confidence in Govt., lack of good rate
BY Dinitha Rathnayake    A section of Sri Lankans living in Rome, Italy – a popular destination for Sri Lankan expatriates in Europe and those migrating permanently and for work purposes – has taken a decision to refrain from sending much-needed foreign remittances home to Sri Lanka, citing dissatisfaction with the policies of the incumbent Government of Sri Lanka and uncertainty over stability. Speaking to The Morning, they said that most of them are withdrawing their fixed deposits (FDs) due to this lack of trust.  “We would love to send money to our country but we need a guarantee for that money. We don't trust the previous or current Government. We have stopped sending money.”
  1. Sanjeewa, an Italian taxi-driver, said that he normally used to send all the money he earned but not anymore. 
“I didn't keep a single Euro earlier, since we had a good rate for our money. Most of the money we sent was deposited in fixed deposits or invested in properties. We don't invest in either now.” Dixon Punchihewa, who works in a bar in Rome, said that he had withdrawn all the money in his fixed deposits due to the uncertain situation in the country. Sri Lanka is much in need of foreign exchange ever since dwindling foreign reserves led to a crisis in making payments for essential imports.


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