The first community based bank under the Divi Neguma development program was declared open recently by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at Megahakotuwa in Kuliyapitiya.
Accordingly 322 Samurdhi Associations and 1, 074 Samurdhi Banks already in operation country wide will be turned into community based banks soon. The Divi Neguma Development Bank serving the people to raise their living standards was established on January 03 under the Divi Neguma Act.
Minister Rajapaksa addressing the gathering at the special event expressed confidence that these banks would strengthen the national economy and reduce poverty as the countrys first micro-finance network controlled by the people.