Are you sure that Sri Lanka's Bank of Ceylon banned bitcoin? I'm looking for an article that has this news but the results are poor.
This is one of their latest statement: April 16,2018.
Public Awareness on Virtual Currencies in Sri LankaThey are giving warning to their people but there's no ban.
I think the OP doesn't understand well what does the public awareness means lol.
Take a look at it, I just quoted.
Public Awareness on Virtual Currencies in Sri Lanka
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is aware of the growing interest in virtual currencies (VCs), both domestically and internationally.
The term “virtual currencies” is commonly used to refer to digitally created representations of value that are issued by private developers and denominated in their own unit of account. Common examples of virtual currencies are cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum. Virtual currencies are not central bank issued currency.
Virtual currencies such as cryptocurrencies use decentralised peer-to-peer digital networks to authorize transactions. Due to the absence of a centralized authority such as a Central Bank to guarantee the value of the currency and regulate transactions, there is no recourse in the event of any user or transaction related issues or disputes. The value of virtual currencies is dependent on speculation and is not backed by an underlying asset or a regulatory framework. Due to this, virtual currencies may demonstrate major volatility. Similarly, there appears to be a high probability of virtual currencies being used in illegal activities. Further, though unintentional, their usage could amount to breaches of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) laws. Therefore, cryptocurrencies, in the present form, may pose significant risks in terms of financial, operational, legal, customer protection and security related risks to their users as well as to the economy.
It is hereby notified to the public that CBSL has not given licence or authorization to any entity or company to operate schemes involving virtual currencies, including cryptocurrencies, and has not authorized any Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).
Published Date:
Monday, April 16, 2018
If you take a look at it and read it carefully there is no word about banning or anything like that or similar to that, it's just a public awareness just like in our country crypto currencies are not legalized yet but the government doesn't prohibit the use and possession of crypto currencies such as Bitcoin and other altcoins and actually, they also allowed an exchange platform to operate in the country, this platform serves as a wallet, crypto to fiat exchange and payment system for bills such as internet bill and many more.