The latest interim report of the Committee on Public Enterprises, better known as COPE, has revealed that Rs. 2.5 billion obtained from the state-owned Bank of Ceylon by around ten high profile clients remain as non performing loans.

The COPE interim report for the period between October 2014 and March 2015 naming several institutions and companies which have defaulted in paying their loans obtained from the Bank of Ceylon is a significant feature.

Among these named entities are a printing company, a well know apparels manufacturer as well as a maritime company.

According to the COPE report, the revenue of the Bank of Ceylon which had been 56.3 per cent in 2012 has shown a decline up to 15.7 per cent in 2013.

Meanwhile, it is stated that Rs. 491 million remain as dues from among the overdraft facilities provided by the Bank of Ceylon to 15 of its customers.

The Bank of Ceylon has taken legal action against several of these customers and some 4.3 per cent of the Bank’s non-performing loan percentage remains satisfactory, reveals the COPE report.