The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) The total value of assets of all Samurdhi Community-Based Banks as at 30.06.2025 is Rs. 316,654,917,651.49. (ii) Number of Samurdhi Community-Based Banks — 1,097. Regarding Samurdhi General Societies: they do not exist at present. Prior to the 2013 Livelihood Development Act being passed, they existed as Samurdhi General Societies. They are now referred to as Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Societies. Accordingly: Number of Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Societies — 335. (iii) The total value of assets of all Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Societies (formerly General Societies) as at 30.06.2025 is Rs. 196,268,268,199.44.

¶ 03 (b) (i) No. Under Section 35 of the Samurdhi Act, No. 1 of 2013, they are not subject to Central Bank supervision. (ii) Because under the provisions of the Samurdhi Act, No. 1 of 2013 (Livelihood Development Act), the provisions of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988 and the Finance Business Act, No. 42 of 2011 do not apply to Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Societies. (iii) There are 1,097 Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and 335 Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Societies. There is no Chairman of a Board of Directors for Samurdhi Community-Based Banks. The Samurdhi Bank has a Governing Board, chaired by a Community Leader elected from among the community. For regulation and supervision of financial activities of Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and Bank Societies, a Management Board exists within the Department of Samurdhi Development, chaired ex officio by the Director-General of the Department.

¶ 04 (c) (i) The details for the last 10 years are available. Shall I read them or table them? [Upon request for the last two years:] 2023 — Rs. 23,273,115,267.49 2024 — Rs. 11,053,228,810.49 (ii) There are 1,097 separate Samurdhi Banks; a consolidated balance sheet is not prepared under the Samurdhi Act, No. 1 of 2013, as each is treated as a separate, continuous community-based bank. Therefore, no consolidated balance sheets were prepared for the last 10 years. We plan to prepare one from 2025 onwards. (iii) Members of the Samurdhi Community-Based Organization who have obtained membership with a Rs. 500 share and any additional shares purchased are the shareholders. (iv) There are eight deposit schemes. Interest paid varies at 3% and 5% (e.g., 3% for member deposits; 5% for children’s deposits). Fixed deposit rates currently are: — 3 months: 6% — 6 months: 6.5% — 12 months: 7.5% — 24 months: 7.75% — 36 months: 8%

¶ 05 (d) Not applicable.

¶ 06 I table the detailed answer.

¶ 07 Placed in the Library.