Sri Lanka has taken a neutral stance over the Gulf rift with Qatar, with the Central Bank issuing a statement denying it has advised banks not to accept Qatari Riyal.

‘The Central Bank categorically denies reports by various media institutions stating, “the Central Bank has informed banks not to accept Qatari Riyals”,’ the Central Bank said in the statement.

Meanwhile, the country’s flagship carrier, SriLankan Airlines has also said that it would continue scheduled flights to Doha, Qatar, despite several nations severing ties with the Gulf country.

Several Gulf countries - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and the Maldives - have decided to sever ties with Qatar over a diplomatic row.