The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development says nearly 29,649 registered export and manufacturing factories and business establishments have been affected by Cyclone Ditwah, according to data collected up to December 16.
The assessment was carried out as part of a national effort to rehabilitate industries impacted by the disaster. Based on the findings, the Ministry has decided to provide priority and expedited financial assistance to 9,628 export and manufacturing industrialists registered under the Ministry.
Accordingly, a loan subsidy of Rs. 200,000 along with several concessionary business loan schemes at an interest rate of 3 percent has been introduced. Fast-track loan facilities have already been launched through three state-owned banks for eligible entrepreneurs, with applications accepted until December 31 next year.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has also agreed to extend the same scheme through private banks starting from January next year, the Ministry said.
Meanwhile, the remaining 20,223 manufacturing and business establishments registered with the Ministry will be referred to relevant line ministries for further relief and rehabilitation measures.
The most severe damage to industrial and business establishments has been reported from the districts of Puttalam, Gampaha, Kollupitiya, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Trincomalee, Badulla, and Nuwara Eliya.
According to the latest breakdown, the affected entities include 861 large-scale export manufacturing factories, 8,664 medium-scale, 12,300 small-scale, and 9,844 micro-scale enterprises, highlighting the widespread economic impact of the cyclone across the country.
