PM to grace World Habitat Day events

BY E. Weerapperuma

WORLD Habitat Day falls today and events to mark the Day will be held at the BMICH Main Hall with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse is scheduled to grace the occasion.

The Sri Lanka Women's Development Services Cooperative Society (Women's Bank Ltd) collaborating with the Government has organised the events of the day.

The organisers of the day's events said that the Exhibition organised by the Women's Bank on the theme "Developed Cities and Target of the Millennium" will commence at 9.30 am today, at the BMICH, displaying the talents of women in various fields.

There will be a formal meeting at 3.00 pm which will be followed by Music Fiesta bringing the talents of the children living in Janavasas.

Founder and General Manager of the Women's Bank Nandasiri Gamage told the press conference held at the Nippon Hotel in Colombo on Friday, that the Women's Bank decided to join the government in organising the `World Habitat Day' this year to mark the completion of 15 years of their Bank, which began in 1989.

He further said the connection between the Bank and the World Habitat Day was very close. The bank had emerged from the initiative taken by a group of women in 1989 where they began the "Thrift Assistance Groups" among women, in Bandaranaikepura, Kotte, Gajabapura in Narahenpita and Sri Siddharthapura in Kirulapone.

They had the backing of the UNCHS which was operating from the National Housing Development Authority and the UNICEF. In addition the emerging women's groups had the assistance from DANIDA project bringing the other women to these groups to make their economic and social situation better.

Gamage said that women's groups began helping those with financial and social problems with their own money collected. By now their collection has gone up to Rs.350 million which begun with just Rs.40 on the first day of the grouping way back 15 years ago. Over 30,000 women benefit from this bank.

"There are no paid workers or officers, no buildings and furniture attached to the bank. They provide voluntary service and meet in one of the houses of the members and maintain very good auditing of every cent. I am the only person, a paid servant as General Manager of the Bank", he said.

According to him the bank which has its roots in Colombo has spread its wings to cover 19 districts with 67 Pradeshiya banks and 42 primary branches operating. The Bank also has 12119 Children Savings, 11562 `Subani' Members and 3224 `Rakitha' members.

Gamage also said that any woman could join the Bank and she would be a member of the ring that is to be formed with other women of the area she lives.

The members have to contribute Rs. 5 a week for 8 months to become a member. It is her saving. Loans will be given on trust and nothing is taken as security. The Women's Bank fulfils a national need, he added.