Big demand for Thurunu Diriya loan scheme

The Prime Minister’s Office’s (PMO) Policy Development Office (PDO) said yesterday that there has been a “massive response” to the Thurunu Diriya loan scheme offered to professionally qualified youth who are in business start-ups of the Small Enterprise Development Department (SEDD).

 The SEDD has identified 823 participant borrowers, and to help about 200 to participate in business start-ups.  This was disclosed at a progress review meeting held at the PDO of the PMO on 10 May.

In addition, the SEDD has launched a program to identify 10 young entrepreneurs from each Grama Niladhari Division who could participate in this scheme.

The scheme has been expanded, and eligibility has been granted to allow the Grama Niladhari Division to certify businesses which have been established for 3 years, and this certificate could be submitted to the Bank Manager through the Divisional Secretariat.

Further, in addition to the degree/diploma/NVQ certificate, business training provided by the Vidatha Institutes in the District Secretariat has already been recognised by Bank of Ceylon for this scheme.

The Bank of Ceylon has already printed a leaflet to promote this scheme which is available at all branches.  The PDO of the PMO, with the assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has mobilised to promote this loan scheme for the eligible/targeted borrowers. Guarantors are not required.