CB unveils regional office in Kilinochchi

• To enhance development activities with assistance of banking sector

Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran (left) and Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D.M. Swaminathan cut the ribbon to declare the Central Bank Regional Office open

By Charumini de Silva Sri Lanka’s banking watchdog the Central Bank yesterday unveiled its Regional Office in Kilinochchi to promote regional economic activities with the assistance of the banking sector, a senior official said. Central Bank Deputy Governor Ananda Silva told the Daily FT that with the opening of this new facility, the bank intends to provide loan schemes to the SMEs with the assistance of banks, conduct entrepreneurship programs, training programs for banks and for the general public on financial literacy and to have a credit counselling centre. “From next week onwards we have planned two entrepreneurship programs. The first program is scheduled to commence on 11 May,” he added. The Regional Office in Kilinochchi was declared opened by Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D.M. Swaminathan at Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi yesterday. Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha De Silva, Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Provincial Council members, District Secretaries, other Government officials and bankers also attend the ceremony. The two-storey building is an investment of Rs. 150 million, comprise a training centre, EPF, Currency Department, an auditorium with a seating capacity for 200, office rooms and a Central Bank publications centre. “With the assistance of the banking sector we will provide guidance to the banks on credit facilities they could offer to contribute to the reduction of poverty and upliftment of economic and social conditions in the relevant regions through various development activities,” he added. Silva said that the Central Bank will also commence some of the Central Bank services and functions like and other credit facilities such as Poverty Alleviation Micro Finance Project Revolving Fund (PAMPRF) New Comprehensive Rural Credit Scheme — ‘Sarusara’, Saubhagya Loan Scheme to uplift the rural economy by facilitating the smooth and timely supply of financial assistance, guidance and marketing linkages and coordination of related support services to the provinces. The Central Bank has provincial offices in the Southern, North Central, Central, Eastern and Northern Provinces.