BACKGROUND

Lanka Microfinance Practioner' Association is a network formed by several Microfinance Practioners in Sri Lanka. Our main function is to enhance the ability of our members to provide quality financial services to grass-root communities. The association achieve this goal by promoting Microfinance and by encouraging cooperation, sharing information & assistance between member practioners & stake holders.

LMPA is the pioneer in microfinance networking among microfinance practioners in Sri Lanka, and was initiated on the 31 st of March 2006. The Lanka Microfinance Practitioners' Association is incorporated as a non-profit Organization under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007.

Vision
Development of microfinance in Sri Lanka, in which members promote the provision of financial and allied services to great numbers of poor people in a effective and sustainable manner, and such services are delivered with the highest standards of excellence in governance, integrity, and stewardship.

Mission
To build the capacity of institutions engaged in microfinance to serve poor communities in a viable and sustainable manner.

Objectives:

* To promote membership among microfinance institutions in all parts of Sri Lanka who provide financial services to the poor for alleviation of poverty.
* To advocate for a policy environment that is conducive to the growth and development of the micro finance sector through collective action by micro finance institutions and other stake holders.
* To promote an adoption and installation of internationally accepted performance standards for Microfinance Institutions.
* To develop and strengthen systems for information collection, analysis and dissemination through electronic and print media.
* To promote the expansion of the formal financial markets as micro finance services.
* To protect and strengthen the capacity of micro finance institutions to deliver appropriate and sustainable micro finance services to the economically active poor through co-ordination and organization of lateral learning workshops, theoretic debates and linkages with other organizations.
* To develop and operationalize an independent performance monitoring system for MFIs that will set standards and increase professionalism in the Microfinance Industry.
* To mobilize resources and to network with Government, Donors, Funding Agencies, Investors and Commercial Loan Providers in order to enhance the development of the Microfinance Sector

* GTZ ProMis
* PLAN Sri Lanka