The Uyirpu scheme to encourage income generation for women passed a milestone in March. The number of women who have received loan assistance through the scheme passed the 1000 mark. More than 19 million LKR have so far been loaned.

The scheme has been running for seven months and has been extended to eleven areas. These are Kilinochchi, Vaddakachchi, Akkarayan, Visuvamadhu, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Oddusuddan, Mulliyavalai, Mallavi, Kanakarayankulam, Mulankavil, and Iluppakadavai.

Women have been encouraged to try new types of income generation activities in addition to traditional ones like handcraft and livestock rearing. Some women have indeed taken the challenge and have started fishing on their own.