Lankaputhra Development Bank lends helping hand to female low-income earners

In the Kegalle District, LDB presented female low-income earners with brand-new sewing machines in order to encourage them to pursue self-employment and build a viable business. The event, which took place at the Venus Reception Hall in Mawanella, was held to celebrate International Women’s Day. In addition to this, the bank also conducted a full-day eye clinic through which a large number of spectacles were handed out.

The Kegalle Branch of LDB was instrumental in selecting deserving female entrepreneurs from the Mawanella, Aranayake, Kegalle, Pinnawela and Hemmathagama areas to receive the sewing machines. As the initial step, sewing machines were distributed among 50 entrepreneurs. One of the key features of this effort is the fact that the bank will assist the entrepreneurs to find a suitable market for their products.

The sewing machines and spectacles were handed over by LDB Chairman Deshabandu Lasantha Goonewardena. LDB General Manager/CEO Lasantha Amarasekara, Assistant General Manager – Credit and Operations Ranjith Dissanayake and several politicians in the area also graced the occasion.

Addressing the audience gathered at the event, Goonewardena stated, “The International Women’s Day is a significant day in the calendar year. I am pleased that the bank is able to present women in the Mawanella area with these sewing machines on such an important day. As a bank that is always focused on supporting entrepreneurs, the bank will be keeping a keen eye on these new entrepreneurs and will be making arrangements to continuously support them as they grow their business ventures. Whatever obstacles that may come our way, we are determined to overcome all of them and ensure that the bank makes every possible effort to hit the set goals.”

LDB provides attractive interest rates for savings and a high interest rate for senior citizens’ fixed deposits. In addition to this, the bank also offers microfinance loans, pawning services, ‘Sandaliya’ savings account for women and ‘Shasthree’ higher educational loan scheme specially designed for the benefit of students interested in pursuing graduate, post graduate, academic and professional studies in locally and internationally-recognised educational institutes.

LDB operates successful branches in Colombo, Hambantota, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Kegalle, Wennappuwa, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.