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Special loan scheme for festive season
The government has introduced a special loan scheme for the festive season through the state banks at an interest of 0.625 payable in 10 months during the period of January to October 31, 2021, the President’s office announced yesterday.
The schemes consists of three categories: Rs. 50,000 for those whose income is over Rs. 50,000 a month. 2) Between Rs 25,000 and Rs. 50,000, Rs. 25,000 and 3) for those who earn less that Rs. 25,000, Rs.10,000.
The loans could be obtained from the Bank of Ceylon, Peoples Bank, the National Savings Bank, Provincial Development Bank and the Samurdhi Bank.
Government pensioners and Samurdhi beneficiaries would have to apply for the loans through the Pensions Department and the Samurdhi Bank.
Three-wheel drivers, van and bus owners, private bus crews, etc., could apply for the loan by producing their national identity cards at the particular state bank where they maintain an account.
Daily wage earners can get loans through the state banks where they have accounts.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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