At the progress review meeting for Southern Province on implementing the “ThurunuDiriya” loan scheme, it was revealed that 647 young entrepreneurs who are qualified to receive “ThurunuDiriya” loans were identified from this province.

This meeting was held on last Friday, the 21st of September, at the Galle District Secretariat, with the presence of the Galle District Secretary and the Additional District Secretary, stated the Policy Development Office.

Further, 19 young entrepreneurs in Southern Province has already received “ThurunuDiriya” loans while 125 business plans out of 190 business plans for young entrepreneurs, which were prepared by Small Enterprises Development Division, have been handed over to Bank of Ceylon.  In addition, the Southern Province has conducted 108 awareness programs to promote the “ThurunuDiriya” loan scheme among the young entrepreneurs up to date.

This progress review committee meeting was attended by the officers representing, the Bank of Ceylon, Galle and Matara District secretariats, selected community based organizations, all the Divisional Secretariats of Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts, Central Programme Management Unit (CPMU) of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, Policy Development Office of the Prime Minister’s Office and Assistant Directors of  the Small Enterprises Development Division (SEDD) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Project Management and Southern Development.

“ThurunuDiriya” loan scheme is a special loan scheme designed for potential young entrepreneurs, which grants loans without a guarantor and collateral or with lenient guarantor conditions, for small-scale young entrepreneurs, who possess a degree or a recognized vocational certificate and who have been in the business for minimum of 3 years. Further details of this loan scheme can be obtained from the Bank of Ceylon branches or the Divisional secretariats island-wide.