The Government has introduced eight loan schemes with concessionary interest rates to enhance deprived departments, Finance Ministry Development Finance Department Director General A.M.P.M.B. Atapattu said.
He said that Rs 4,475 million was allocated for these schemes this year under the “Divi Udana” programme.
Among them are “Ran Aswenna” and “Govi Navoda” loan schemes for those involved in the agricultural sector, “Riya Shakthi” loan scheme for those involved in school transport service, “Rivi Bala Savi” loan scheme for the promotion of solar power, “Diri Saviya” loan scheme for those involved in poultry farming, “Jaya Isura” loan scheme for those in the SME sector, “Madya Aruna” loan scheme for journalists and “Sonduru Piyasa” housing loan scheme for low income families.
Director General Atapattu said that about 50,000 new employment opportunities are intended to be availed through the “Divi Udana” programme which was implemented, targeting selected areas of the economy.
Under the "Madya Aruna" loan scheme journalists are to be given a loan of Rs 300,000, interest free to buy media equipment and Rs 150,000 loan with an interest rate of 6.5 percent for media equipment maintenance.
This loan facility is facilitated only through the People's Bank.