Extended three-day bank holiday: Govt. trying to bankrupt banking sector like economy: NPP

By Ajith Siriwardana  

Claiming that those who are engaged in international trade have been severely hit due to the extended three-day bank holiday, former NPP MP Sunil Handunnetti said yesterday that the government was attempting to bankrupt the banking sector by creating uncertainty and doubt among the people just as they bankrupted the economy.  

He told a news conference that the government should take the complete responsibility over the issues created in the financial sector and that this could create more issues than going for a hair-cut on domestic debt.   

“The government broke the tradition that bank holidays are not given for three days by gazetting June 30 as Bank holiday. Even bank heads are unaware why these bank holidays are given. The matter on domestic debt restructuring has not been discussed with banking heads. It is reported that the President is planning to get the domestic debt restructuring done soon after returning from his French visit,” he said.