Women-headed households would be eligible for loans of up to Rs. 1 million per household at an annual interest rate of 3% under the 2027 Budget presented to Parliament by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (12). The Budget also proposes funding for child protection, improvements to children’s homes and services for children with disabilities.

Rs. 12.5 billion in projected lending

The proposed group lending scheme would operate through the Samurdhi Bank and is expected to provide Rs. 12.5 billion in loans. The Government has set aside Rs. 200 million to subsidise interest in the first phase, with further funding to be provided as demand grows.

The Budget identified low female labour force participation, shrinking household sizes and an ageing population among the social challenges behind the proposed measures.

Child protection and alternative care

The Budget allocates Rs. 182 million for a family-centred child protection programme covering vulnerable children’s health, education, safety and mental wellbeing. A further Rs. 102 million is proposed for alternative care arrangements for children who have lost their parents in natural disasters or are living in high-risk situations.

The Government has also earmarked Rs. 500 million to upgrade facilities and improve standards of care at larger state-run children’s homes. Another Rs. 100 million would be provided in capital grants to non-governmental charities that operate care facilities for children and people with disabilities.

Disability support and access to education

The Government proposes setting up day care centres for children with disabilities and allocating Rs. 200 million for dedicated transport services. Accessible learning platforms and equipment for students with disabilities are also planned under the broader Rs. 35 billion programme to digitise general education in 2027.

The Budget sets aside Rs. 100 million to provide free spectacles to schoolchildren with visual impairments. It also proposes broadband vouchers for 750,000 selected students in rural and urban schools.