BoC ‘Thurunu Diriya’ disburses over Rs. 358 m among 875 youth

Saturday, 13 July 2019 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Enterprise Sri Lanka –‘Thurunu Diriya’loan scheme implemented to empower young, small and medium entrepreneurs has successfully disbursed loans worth overRs.358million among 875 young entrepreneurs by the second week of July.

Within a span of one year, since ‘Thurunu Diriya’ loan scheme was launched, it has elevated the life of more than 850 budding entrepreneurs across the country, the weekly progress report issued by Bank of Ceylon, on 10 July revealed.

More than 70% of ‘Thurunu Diriya’ loan recipients are female entrepreneurs in Kegalle, Polonnaruwa and Galle districts. Sri Lanka’s bustling commercial hub, Colombo holds 71% of female entrepreneurs among the ‘Thurunu Diriya’ loan recipients.

Thurunu Diriya scheme has been disbursing loans representing all 25 districts of the island. All the Districts and Provinces have disbursedloans among young entrepreneurs, while district and provincial wise loan disbursement are led by Ratnapura District and Sabaragamuwa Province by distributing 127 and 159 loans respectively.

‘Thurunu Diriya’ loan scheme was implemented by the Bank of Ceylon with the assistance of the Policy Development Office (PDO) of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Central Program Management Unit (CPMU) and the Small Enterprises Development Division (SEDD) of the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs to provide financial assistance to potential young entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka.

This loan scheme provides loans without a guarantor and collateral or with lenient guarantor conditions, for entrepreneurs below the age of 40 years, who possess a degree or a recognised vocational certificate and who has been in the business for minimum of three years. Further details on this loan scheme can be obtained from Bank of Ceylon branches or the Divisional Secretariats islandwide.