National Microfinance Study of Sri Lanka: Survey of Practices and ...

The program was assisted by some limited donor funding over the years including
support from CARE International, and SIDA as well as SLCDF giving support to
some of the organisations. Over the years the village organisations grouped
together at both the divisional and district level eventually having a national
organisation. The CAP program is no longer managed by any agency or funded
by any donor though some limited linkages exist with Rural Development
Training Institute (RDTI).
According to the Federation the growth in membership, savings and other donor
funds is as follows. Currently 68,000 families are estimated to be members of
CAP groups and save with them. Though there was a drop in membership from
1995 to 1999 for some inexplicable reason membership appears to have grown in
again in the year 2000. The total saved and available from donors for credit is
estimated at SLR 90.5 million.
Table 31 Progress of the Change Agent Programme, 1987 to 1999
Year No of groups No of members Group funds
(SLR)
1987 776 8,493 99,600
1988 784 7,480 1,188,890
1989 839 7,712 1,316,818
1990 1,029 8,522 1,509,176
1991 2,478 32,568 7,857,187
1992 5,510 45,349 10,186,380
1993 5,603 46,296 13,371,568
1994 5,677 63,129 32,752,449
1995 8,128 64,610 27,277,436
1996 7,188 69,450 27,851,935
1997 6,708 64,465 32,518,854
1998 6,893 65,391 80,452,024
1999 6,778 65,190 80,056,055
2000 8,248 68,460 90,560,742
Source: Federation (PSMS)
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There are 53 existing divisional level Prajashakthi or CAP organisations of these
the following 25 organisations have funds over SLR 1 million for credit purposes.
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