Sri Lanka approves concessionary loans for people hit by communal clashes

COLOMBO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government decided on Tuesday to give concessionary bank loans for people affected by communal riots in the central hills to rebuild their lives, a minister said on Tuesday.

Public Enterprise Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella said there were extensive damages to the houses and places of religious worship in the Kandy district of the central hills in Sri Lanka during the first week of March.

The minister said he had secured approval from the cabinet to give loans for the affected families to rebuild their livelihoods.

"Most affected people are businessman. Their business places have been set on fire during riots," he said.

The minister said the state banks would cooperate with the ministry in issuing loans.

Investigations into the communal clashes, which left three people dead and several others injured, were still underway.

"We have arrested some people. More arrests will be made later," the minister said.

A week-long state of emergency was declared on March 6 to prevent violence from spreading to other areas, the first of its kind after the island nation ended a 30-year civil war in 2009. Enditem