Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday, 12 December 2025 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa |
In a bid to revitalise micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by recent disasters, the Government has decided to launch the RE-MSME PLUS and RE-MSME Disaster Relief loan schemes from 2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday approved the implementation of the loan schemes, and these initiatives consolidate previous concessionary programs, including SMILE-III for industrial investments, E-FRIEND-II for environmentally friendly financing, and the earlier RE-MSME scheme, under a unified framework to strengthen the entrepreneurship sector.
The new schemes are expected to provide immediate and medium-term financial support to around 130,000 entrepreneurs across the country. Loans will be offered at a concessional interest rate of 3% per annum, with a maximum grace period of six months.
“As per the program, MSMEs can access up to Rs. 250,000, while small and medium-scale enterprises (SME) can obtain loans of up to Rs. 1 million,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.
He said the RE-MSME Disaster Relief component specifically targets businesses disrupted by natural disasters, ensuring continuity and enabling rapid recovery. “By streamlining existing programs into a single, more efficient scheme, the Government aims to boost investment, production, and environmental sustainability within the MSME sector, contributing to broader economic resilience and growth,” he added.
The proposal to this effect was submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister.
