Business
People’s Bank introduces Vanitha Saviya loan facility for women
In line with the government’s development drive, People’s Bank introduced the Vanitha Saviya loan scheme in 2020 to empower Sri Lanka’s women entrepreneurs.
This loan was designed for women who are engaged in micro or small-scale businesses or for those who start a business. Another main objective of this loan scheme is to lessen the financial burden of the women who were engaged in businesses during COVID-19 pandemic period.
For those who are already running successful businesses, the Vanitha Saviya loan scheme from People’s Bank allows them to obtain a facility up to Rs. 500,000 or a working capital loan of Rs. 200,000. For those just starting out, an amount of up to Rs. 120,000 can be obtained. With an interest that that will not fluctuate until the loan is settled, the Vanitha Saviya loan scheme is designed to put the applicant’s needs at the core of its premise.
Deputy General Manager of the People’s Bank (Enterprise Banking) Ms. Krishani Narangoda expressed her views. The Vanitha Saviya loan scheme was mainly introduced by the People’s Bank to empower the country’s women and engage women on income earning activities. This loan scheme was introduced in line with the Governments national policy framework of Vistas of Prosperity.
‘To raise the national economy, rural economy should be developed. The contribution of women is important for the income generation and therefore it is vital that leadership capabilities of the women are improved. Through this, the development of entrepreneurship, the economy of the country and the standard of living of the Sri Lankans can be achieved’.
Assistant General Manager (Development & Micro Finance) Mrs. U S Girty expressed her views. To be eligible for Vanitha Saviya loan scheme she should be a micro or small-scale business woman who has been carrying on her business for over 6 months continuously. Above conditions do not apply for women who make 40% or more contribution either in cash or goods.
The applicant should be between 25- 65 years of age. It is essential that the loan applicant resides in the operative area or carrying on the business in that area. In addition, the applicant should not be a defaulter to any bank or should not be a guarantor for such a loan. The business she conducts should produce goods or services that are in high demand and she should have a sound technical knowledge required for the business.
Loan repayment period is maximum 5 years which includes a maximum concessionary period of 3 months for fixed assets investment loans. For working capital loans the repayment period is maximum 3 years. A unique feature of this scheme is according to the business and its income the installment payments could be decided.
By Ifham Nizam
As Sri Lanka gears up for a transformative shift in its energy sector, the Results Delivery Framework (RDF) 2025-26 lays out a strategic roadmap toward a cleaner, more sustainable and people-centric energy future.
Eng. Pubudu Niroshan Hedigallage, Director General, Power Sector Reforms Secretariat and a member of the Energy Committee, emphasizes the critical role of public awareness and global integration in achieving these ambitious goals.
“The success of our energy transition depends on people being on the same page, says Hedigallage. “We need a unified approach where policies align with public interest, ensuring energy security while reducing our carbon footprint.”
The RDF focuses on three main pillars:
Affordable and Secure, Cleaner Energy Supply
Smart and Sensible, People-Centric Energy
Strategic Global Integration in the Energy Sector
To achieve energy security and affordability, Sri Lanka is set to establish a National Energy Policy & Planning Office (NEPPO) in the first half of 2025. This office will serve as the central body for policy formulation and planning, ensuring a structured approach to clean energy adoption.
A key initiative is the “Rivi Bala Punarudaya” solar program, aiming to add 2,000 MW of solar energy within five years. “Solar power is one of the most viable solutions for Sri Lanka. It’s time to accelerate large-scale adoption, Hedigallage asserts.
Additionally, the government plans to begin competitive procurement for 1,000 MW of wind energy along the Puttalam-Jaffna coastal belt by mid-2025.
Hedigallage stresses the importance of policy reforms to align industrial and regulatory frameworks. “Introducing the Energy Transition Act in late 2025 will harmonize all sector-related laws, ensuring smoother implementation of new initiatives, he explains.
Other people-centric initiatives include:
Amendments to the Electricity Act to facilitate restructuring within the energy sector.
A Demand Response Program, developed with the Ministry of Digital Economy, to optimize energy consumption.
A techno-commercial collaboration program connecting universities, industries and utilities to drive innovation.
The Women-in-Energy National Program, launching in late 2025, to increase female participation in the sector.
Recognizing the importance of international collaboration, the RDF aims to position Sri Lanka as a key player in the global energy market.
A state agency for green hydrogen initiatives will be established in late 2025 to explore hydrogen as an alternative energy source.
By early 2026, a digital risk management dashboard will be launched to monitor reservoir levels, fuel inventories, and energy demand in real time.
The Green Energy Certification Unit, to be established in 2026, will authenticate renewable energy usage with Renewable Energy Certificates (REC).
ESG (Environment, Sustainability, and Governance) frameworks will be introduced to ensure sustainable energy sector practices.
A global energy forum will be launched in 2026 to connect Sri Lanka to international energy value chains.
With these ambitious plans, Sri Lanka is set to become a leader in clean energy in the region. “Our energy future is not just about technology and infrastructure; it’s about people, policy, and partnerships, Hedigallage added.
Mintpay, a pioneering financial app reshaping how people pay in Sri Lanka, has announced a landmark partnership with Softlogic Restaurants. This collaboration aims to enhance the dining experience for food enthusiasts by offering convenient, secure, and flexible payment options. Softlogic Restaurants, renowned for its portfolio of beloved brands such as Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Crystal Jade, Delifrance, and Baskin Robbins, will now enable customers to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines through Mintpay’s seamless digital payment solution.
Mintpay Account Manager Sasra Wickrama Arachchi stated, “At Mintpay, we aim to transform every payment into a rewarding moment, and we believe this partnership with Softlogic Restaurants delivers on that promise, making every meal more rewarding.”
Mintpay Senior Business Development Executive Faziha Farhan added, “At Mintpay, we’re always expanding our network by partnering with brands that share our vision for seamless and rewarding payments. We’re excited to welcome Burger King, the first global QSR brand in Sri Lanka to integrate Mintpay, alongside other renowned Softlogic restaurants. This partnership marks another step in transforming the dining experience for all our customers, offering greater flexibility and convenience whenever they use Mintpay.”
Business
Haleon partners Sri Lanka Dental Association as Official Sponsor for World Oral Health Day 2025
Haleon Sri Lanka formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline Healthcare; the first multinational pharmaceutical manufacturing organization in Sri Lanka, which commenced manufacturing in 1956 with the flagship brands Panadol, Iodex Eno etc., signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA) as the official sponsor of World Oral Health Day 2025 in Sri Lanka. The formal signing ceremony took take place on Friday, February 28, 2025. The global theme for this year is “A happy mouth is … a happy mind” which emphasises the importance of oral health on quality of life and wellbeing.
The partnership between SLDA and Haleon; Marketers of Sensodyne aims to transform the conventional methods of celebrating World Oral Health Day. The landmark agreement reimagines World Oral Health Day with an awareness-driven approach themed “#BeSensitiveToOralHealth: Take the first step.” The month-long March campaign will educate Sri Lankans about proactive oral healthcare through strategic messaging across traditional and digital platforms, encouraging everyone to prioritize their oral health. The collaboration represents a significant commitment to improving oral health awareness and access to dental care across Sri Lanka.
Haleon and SLDA will work together to extend awareness that results in tangible healthcare benefits nationwide. Free dental screening facilities will be provided across the island, benefiting approximately 50,000 Sri Lankans.
Beginning March 20th, World Oral Health Day, will take place as a national event at Galle Face, Colombo will serve as the campaign centrepiece, offering free dental screenings, oral cancer assessments, and teeth sensitivity tests to increase public understanding of good oral health practices. All SLDA members will actively participate in this nationwide health initiative making quality dental care accessible to communities throughout the country.
President focuses on streamlining, integrating and developing the manufacturing sector for greater efficiency
Debutant Madara, Athapaththu fashion Sri Lanka women’s first T20I win in New Zealand
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