Sri Lankan Banks Invest Rs3.8bn to Operate Forex Counters at Airport

FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – State and private commercial banks in Sri Lanka have committed to paying up to 970 million rupees each for the opportunity to operate foreign exchange counters at Sri Lanka’s main airport, as stated by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

The cabinet has given approval for six banks to manage forex counters at the arrivals terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport under the following financial arrangements:

  • Counter No. 04 has been awarded to the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, with a fee of 972.77 million rupees plus applicable taxes.
  • Counter No. 05 will be operated by the Bank of Ceylon for a fee of 877.14 million rupees plus applicable taxes.
  • Counter No. 06 is allocated to Thomas Cook Lanka (Pvt) Limited, with a fee of 720.79 million rupees plus applicable taxes.
  • Counter No. 07 will be managed by Sampath Bank PLC for 646.64 million rupees plus applicable taxes.
  • Counter No. 08 is assigned to People’s Bank, with a fee of 631.61 million rupees plus applicable taxes.

The bids for these contracts were invited from institutions authorized by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and the contract period is set for three years. (Colombo/Jan13/2026)