Five entities have won bids to operate currency exchange counters for a period of three years at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, with their total bid worth exceeding Rs.2.3 billion.

Bank of Ceylon secured Counter No. 25, with a bid of Rs.798.028 million plus taxes and Sampath Bank secured Counter No. 02, with Rs.633.662 million. 

Commercial Bank was awarded Counter No. 04, with Rs.381.364 million, while Thomas Cook Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd obtained Counter No. 10, with a bid of Rs.299.064 million. Hatton National Bank won Counter No. 11, with Rs.225.689 million.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the allocation yesterday, following a proposal presented by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Vijitha Herath. The allocations of the bids were based on the recommendations of a Technical Evaluation Committee and a Standing Procurement Committee that was appointed earlier by the Cabinet.