FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – Sri Lanka’s banks have announced they will operate shorter hours on Wednesdays following the government’s decision to declare the midweek a public holiday to conserve fuel.
State-owned Bank of Ceylon stated that branches would operate from 9 am to 1 pm. “To support the ongoing national energy conservation initiative, please be informed that all Bank of Ceylon branches island-wide will operate under restricted banking hours. All Wednesdays until further notice: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.”
People’s Bank issued a similar notice.
The private Nations Trust Bank also announced that branches islandwide will operate on limited hours from 9 am to 1 pm on Wednesdays until further notice, and Saturday banking services will be discontinued.
Commercial Bank indicated that Minicom and Supermarket branches will operate from 9:30 am to 3 pm, while all other branches will be open from 9 am to 1 pm. Regular business hours (9 am to 3 pm) will apply on all other weekdays.
Banks urged customers to use their digital banking channels. (Colombo/Mar18/2026)
