Loans for ex-Tigers to begin jobs

4 March 2011 05:54 pm

Rehabilitated and released ex-LTTE combatants have been encouraged to obtain bank loans of up to Rs.25 million each for self employment projects and business ventures, a Central Bank official said today.

Some 5,600 ex combatants have now been integrated into society having gained vocational skills in masonry, carpentry, beauty care, pre-school teaching, hair dressing and vehicle repairing.

Central Bank Assistant Governor W.M. Karunaratne said military officers based in the area would co-ordinate the programme, and the Bank of Ceylon had agreed to issue the loans. 

He said initially 2,500 of them had been identified for this programme.

“I don’t think all of them will apply for loans. Anyway, the BOC is ready to give loans for all of them if necessary.  They are encouraged to undertake income generating projects and funds will be made available to them under loan schemes known as ‘Saubagya and Wiskam’.  We have increased the maximum loan limit to Rs.25 million,” Mr. Karunaratne said.

He said the Central Bank had instructed the BoC to give the loans against lands without titles as collateral.

Only some 4,500 ex combatants including 34 females were still undergoing rehabilitation. (Kelum Bandara)