Bank employees are permitted to use their bank identity cards in lie of a curfew passes, according to DIG Ajith Rohana. The directive has been issued by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP). The government has requested that essential bank services be provided in the areas where police curfew is lifted. The President's Secretary has requested the Ceylon Bank Employees Union to perform under minimum number of employees ensuring their safety. The government has requested the management of all banks to keep their branches open to the public in areas where the curfew has been lifted. Yesterday(22), the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) requested all Licensed Commercial Banks and Licensed Specialised Banks to keep their branches open at least for two (2) hours on the 23rd March 2020 in the areas where police curfew is lifted to provide urgent banking services to the general public. However, CBSL encouraged the public to use online payment instruments for their day to day transactions and to withdraw cash at less crowded ATMs of any bank. CBSL further advised banks and general public to strictly adhere to necessary health and safety requirements in providing/obtaining such services.