LDB's contribution to Neganahira Navodaya

The 7th branch of Lankaputhra Development Bank was open by Senior Advisor to the President and Member of Parliament, Basil Rajapaksa at Central Road in Batticaloa on July 29. The Chief Minister of Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, Minister of Disaster Relief Service M. S. S. Ameer Ali, Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation, Vinayagmoorthy Muralitharan and Mayor of Batticaloa Ms. Shivageetha Prabaharan were present at the opening.

Lankaputhra Development Bank which is a fully state owned entity was launched with the aim of boosting the national economy. The Bank has implemented several projects to promote the small and medium scale industrial sector, notably among them are the Krushi Navodaya Mahaweli Loan Scheme and the new comprehensive rural credit scheme. Several savings schemes to suit the needs of the younger generation, with attractive rates of interest, are also on offer. Apart from these, the Bank also provides leasing facility.

The Batticaloa branch was opened to directly contribute to the Neganahira Navodaya program by promoting the fisheries and livestock industries in the Eastern Province. All Sri Lankans now have the opportunity of investing their money with Lankaputhra Development Bank, so that they too could make their contribution to national development.

Entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture will be offered a host of services by the Batticaloa branch. As part of the service, a service counter of the Agricultural Federation has been set up at the premises. This move helps resolve problems faced by farmers while guiding them towards new technology.

Parallel to the opening of the branch, a railway bank promotion campaign also got under way. The promotion campaign was held on the Batticaloa bound train from Colombo. The public were made aware during the campaign of the services offered by Lankaputhra Development Bank.

The Bank has already opened branches in Colombo, Hambantota, Polonnaruwa, Kegalle, Kandy and Wennappuwa with Batticaloa becoming the latest addition to a successful branch network.

The Management has drawn up plans to open more branches in Jaffna, Mannar and Trincomalee in the near future. Politicians as well as businessmen from the region were present at the opening ceremony.