Cabinet decisions

Reconstruction of Gintota Maha Vidyalaya, Galle

Cabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Education, Susil Premjayanth to grant the contract to design and reconstruct Gintota Maha Vidyalaya, Galle to the State Engineering Corporation.

This school, which was destroyed in the tsunami was to be rebuilt by funds provided by UNESCO. However due to the unavailability of a suitable plot of land, this could not be done. It was therefore decided to rebuild the school at the same location

UNICEF has allocated Rs. 125 m for this purpose.

Development of Gampaha Botanical Gardens

The Cabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Sports and Entertainment, Gamini Lokuge, to develop land newly acquired by the Gampaha Henarathgoda Botanical Gardens.

These Botanical Gardens cover an area of 42 acres and contains over 2000 species of plants from various countries. A plot of land 7 acres in extent has been acquired to expand the Gardens. It is envisaged than access is developed from the Gampaha-Ja Ela main road.

A boat service is to be launched soon on the newly constructed lake. Also, a ferry service is to be established to enable people to visit the Gardens along the Attanagalu Oya.

A ticket counter and a gate will also be constructed soon.

Development of tea smallholdings

Cabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by Plantation Industries Minister, D.M. Jayaratne for a more efficient development of tea small holdings and to provide necessary infrastructural facilities.

A special project under the Maha Neguma programme of the Ministry of Nation Building is to be launched to rehabilitate and develop roads in the tea smallholdings sector. All smallholders will be registered in accordance with relevant provisions in the Tea Control Act and the Tea Board Act, provided with a number and an ID.

Furthermore, steps will be taken by the Department of Census and Statistics to update information on the extent of land under tea smallholdings.

New building for Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

Cabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Patali Champika Ranawaka to construct a new building for the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau.

A 100 perch block of land belonging to the State Timber Corporation has been allocated for this purpose.

The cost of construction will amount to Rs. 350 million and the Bureau has the necessary funds to cover this.

The construction will be undertaken by the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation.