Bank of Ceylon opens information counter to facilitate entrepreneurs of ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’

Secretary to the Treasury, Minister of Finance Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga handing the loan to a customer who is facilitated under the ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’ entrepreneurship development loan scheme. Te Minister of Public Enterprise and Kandy City Development Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera, State Minister of Finance and Mass Media Eran Wickramaratne, Bank of Ceylon Chairman President’s Counsel Ronald C. Perera and the CEO/General Manager Senarath Bandara are also seen 

In response to the Government’s economic development objectives by empowering Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, Banker’s to the Nation, Bank of Ceylon officially launched an information counter to assist entrepreneurs under the Government’s ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’ loan scheme. 

The ceremony took place at the bank’s head office recently with the Minister of Public Enterprise and Kandy City Development Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera and the State Minister of Finance and Mass Media Eran Wickramaratne who officially opened the information counter and in a symbolic gesture, handed cheques pertaining to the loans that were granted under this scheme to deserving entrepreneurs. Bank of Ceylon Chairman President’s Counsel Ronald C. Perera, Ex. Officio Director to the Board S.R. Attygalle, CEO/General Manager Senarath Bandara, members of the Bank’s Corporate and Executive Management and other bank officials also participated in this event.  

Enterprise Sri Lanka by now, is one of the most popular loan schemes among entrepreneurs whose dreams have been delayed due to financial constraints. The Bank of Ceylon has so far disbursed over Rs. 13 billion among deserving Micro and SME entrepreneurs and have taken all measures to extend this facility to many through its branch network. Under Enterprise Sri Lanka loan scheme, the Bank of Ceylon offers; “Govi Navoda”, “RIvi Bala Savi”, “Jaya Isura”, “Ran Asswenna”, “Diri Saviya”, “Riya Shakthi”, “Soduru Piyasa”, “Arabuma”, “Haritha Naya”, “SME LoC”.

By formulating different types of loan schemes the bank can cater to a variety of entrepreneurs whose requirements and fields of competencies are unique and needs to be addressed in a tailor-made way. “Govi Navoda”- focuses on developing micro level farmers and societies formed by farmers, “RIvi Bala Savi”- facilitates the purchase of and fixing solar panels to private homes and encouraging the use of Solar Power, “Jaya Isura” - Tier 1; facilitates SMEs whose annual turnover is between Rs. 10 million and Rs. 250 million, having a staff cadre between 5 to 50 members, Tier 2; facilitates SMEs whose annual turnover is between Rs. 250 million and Rs. 750 million, having a staff cadre between 51 to 300 members, “Ran Asswenna”; focuses on SME farmers and societies established by farmers who engage in horticulture farming, acquire culture and commercial farming, “Diri Saviya”- benefits poultry farmers and micro entrepreneurs in the field, “Riya Shakthi”; Registered members of a society formed by school transport service providers, “Soduru Piyasa”; is focused on those who wish to build houses and owns less than 1000 square feet of land, “Arabuma”; is focused on young graduates who wish to start up businesses, “Haritha Naya”; small scale tourist hotel owner, three-wheel owners, Packaging manufacturers who use recycled inputs, small-scale hotel owners and organic fertiliser manufacturers, “SME LoC”; benefits all other Micro and SME entrepreneurs.

In the big picture, it is not only the facilitating of entrepreneurs which is the direct benefit but rather it is the generation of as many employment opportunities as possible, the encouragement, as far as possible, the use of eco-friendly natural energy resources and the building of a society that preserve energy, thereby building a sustainable and flourishing economy by year 2025.