They were able to obtain expeditiously micro finance facilities, regardless of age, guarantors, collateral and additional documents because of the Divi Neguma Sahana Aruna programme of the Divi Neguma Department established on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s advice. Its objective has been to empower the masses through livelihood development projects for poverty alleviation. In addition loans ranging from Rs.5,000 to Rs.50,000 may be obtained for consumer needs, repayment of loans or other emergencies.
Over 100,000 Divi Neguma beneficiaries participated in the commencement ceremonies held in 327 Secretarial Divisions on September 1. Those qualified for assistance under the programme are 2.7 million families living in 35,440 villages coming under 14022 Grama Seva areas. The loan recipients are required to repay the loans in 24 installments at four percent interest.
The programme encourages people to invest income from the village in the village itself. It will help to prevent some of them from falling into debt by obtaining loans at high interest rates from financial institutions, according to the Economic Development Ministry.
A.G. Ranasinghe of Nawagurukele in Doluwa Secretarial Division said that he received without any delay the loan of Rs.50, 000 he applied for buying basic equipment needed for livelihood improvement projects.
Malkanthi Weerasinghe of Kandaketiya, Badulla said that the loan of Rs.30, 000 she promptly received would be used for repaying a loan which she taken from another organisation. According to her she had obtained the Sahana Aruna loan of Rs.30, 000 on an annual interest of 4 percent whereas the earlier loan she had taken on another organisation an annual interest of 84 percent.
Nishantha Kithsiri (37) of Polgasowita had obtained Rs.50, 000 within a few hours without any additional documents. He said he would use the money for improve his garment industry.W Sudharma (47) of Akmeemana, Galle said that she will used the Rs.50, 000 she obtained to improve her retail shop. She was surprised at the extremely low interest of .3 percent per month.
P.G. Sriyani (41) of Malwattagama, Ihala Korale said she obtained Rs.50, 000 to improve her floriculture industry, without any additional documents or collateral. Rohana Jayananda (34) of Weligama, Matara said that he will use the Rs.40, 000 he obtained for improving fish marketing facilities.
People who joined the scheme to obtain loans for consumer needs were also seen at these events. Among the contributors to this scheme were those engaged in the fields of agriculture, livestock, fisheries and cottage industries. Further information may be obtained from the nearest Divi Neguma Community Back.
