Mar 23, Colombo: Issuing a communique, Secretary to the President P.B Jayasundara acting on instructions by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested the banks to provide essential services for a brief period in the areas where police curfew is lifted.

The President's Secretary has requested from Ceylon Bank Employees Union to perform the services with a minimum number of employees ensuring their safety.

The Central Bank of yesterday requested all Licensed Commercial Banks and Licensed Specialized Banks to keep their branches open at least for 2 hours on Monday in the areas where police curfew is lifted to provide urgent banking services to the general public.

However, the Central Bank encouraged public to use online payment instruments for their day to day transactions and to withdraw cash at less crowded ATMs of any bank.