The Government intends to mediate to provide solutions that benefit low income earners but not to jeopardise or derail schemes of the private micro finance sector, said the State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self- Employment and Business Development Shehan Semasinghe at a webinar held in Colombo this week.
It was organised by the Microfinance Industry in Sri Lanka. However the Minister cautioned that some micro finance companies act contrary to micro finance regulations. “There have been instances where people living in Kebithigollewa have complained that they have borrowed money at a high interest rate of 26-30 per cent from micro finance companies in the past,” he said.
The Micro Finance Act has been interpreted by some companies to suit their own needs, he said. Amalgamating the Samurdhi scheme along with this Act is in the pipeline so that low income earners can be provided funds at low interest rates to start businesses. The state now welcomes suggestions regarding future amendments to the Micro Finance Act from micro finance companies.
Managing Director, Hambantota Women’s Development Federation, Sriyani Mangalika said that their organisation which was launched three decades ago is now linked to 12 “Pradeshiya Lekam” divisions in the Hambantota district and to five districts in the Moneragala area where micro finance money is disbursed among the poor women in the district. There are 85,000 women members in their federation.
Meanwhile over 139,000 families that belong to members of the federation do business with the federation at present. The Janashakthi Bank launched by the federation is another notable feature where 85,000 members are provided with 25% of the profits of the bank at the end of each year. The other profits are utilised to rehabilitate persons affected by drugs.
Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka J.P.R. Karunaratne said the Central Bank had initiated a number of schemes through their regional offices to facilitate disbursement of loans to SME and the micro finance sectors.
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