HNB, LFSUS, RRWO finance Weeraketiya houses

Hambantota recently saw 38 families gaining financial support, from Hatton National Bank (HNB) and Lanka Financial Services for Underserved Settlements (LFSUS), aimed at providing a roof above their heads and a means of livelihood.

This was provided through the Ruhunu Rural Women's Organization (RRWO) that has been closely working with the community in Hambantota district on various projects mainly related to income generating activities.

A loan disbursing ceremony took place on September 8 in Buddhiyagama, Weeraketiya where the total loan of Rs 10.5 million was granted to the RRWO to facilitate low income community in the area. The majority of the families living in the Weeraketiya Divisional Secretariat Division are mainly engaged in agriculture, fisheries, trading, small cottage industries, and Government/private sector employments.

Through this project, all the selected beneficiaries will receive on average a loan of Rs 275,000 per house to be repaid over five years.

This is the first house upgrading project initiated in Hambantota and is the fourth such project carried out in partnership between the two organizations in their islandwide program.

The micro loans disbursed to the community are for the sole purpose of restoring and completing existing basic housing structures. The aim of HNB and LFSUS in carrying out this initiative is targeted at providing aid to people in rural areas of the country so as to generate new prospects through housing finance leading to develop rural economy and creation of new employment in the area.

LFSUS Chairman and HNB, Marketing and Retail Banking Deputy General Manager Chandula Abeywickrama said "This loan would create a dual purpose of providing security and refuge for children and providing of space to carry on an enterprise within the precincts of one's own home for sustenance.

Expressing his enthusiasm of the outcome of the project, Abeywickrama observed the keen effort and dedication of the community towards obtaining the loans. He also said that this project will help lay the foundation to witness its success in the future.

Lanka Financial Services for Underserved Settlements CEO, Ayanthi Gurusinghe said "LFSUS intends on creating sustainable projects with the ability to function whilst being committed to making the low income sector credit worthy and capable of obtaining loans for housing."

The Weeraketiya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Gunethilake Jayasekara also emphasized on the importance of assisting the low income community within his Pradeshiya Sabha area.