According to Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunge, the Ministry has given approval to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to pay 15 percent interest on fixed deposits of senior citizens  said.

The benefit to senior citizens was one of the proposals presented through the recent interim budget.

A draft bill is currently being prepared on the payment of interest on gold items mortgaged at state banks and the relevant approval will be issued next Friday, Dr. Samaratunge has told national radio.