The Central Bank today announced that USD 292.1 million received following the agreement signed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and China Merchant Ports Holdings has been credited to its accounts. 

The money has been credited to the US dollar account of the Government of Sri Lanka. 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe accepted the first payment of $ 292.1 million from China Merchant Port Holdings earlier this month, after the handover of the Hambantota port to a CMPort-led joint venture with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. 

The Sri Lankan government said it was the biggest contribution to the country's foreign reserves in the recent history. 

According to the agreement, China will operate the Hambantota international port, built by the former government, on a 99 year lease.