Cabinet decisions

Implementation agreements for the World Bank funded Health Sector Development Project

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Finance and Planning Minister to enter in to the Implementation Agreements of the Health Sector Development Project with Provincial Councils and the Secretary to the Treasury to sign the Agreements on behalf of the Government.

The Government has signed the Financing Agreement with the International Development Association (IDA) of World Bank to obtain concessionary additional credit of US$ 24 million for the Health Sector Development Project (HSDP) with particular emphasis on the special health needs in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Accordingly, US$ 12 million has been allocated for the Northern and Eastern Provinces and US$ 11 million for other provinces. The balance US$ 1 million has been allocated for the Health Care and Nutrition Ministry for strengthening the stewardship functions for the Ministry. Allocation of land at Kirulapone to Amaradeva Foundation The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to allocate the land of 30 perches to Amaradeva Foundation at D.M Colombage Mawatha, Kirulapone to establish an International Centre of Music.

Two credit facility agreements to rehabilitate old Laxapana Power Station

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Finance and Planning Minister to rehabilitate old Laxapana Hydro Power station.

It is expected to enter into an Export Credit Facility of Euro 24,141,348 with Uni-Credit Bank Austria AG and to enter into a Loan Agreement of Euro 3,870,000 with the Hatton National Bank for this purpose.

Commemoration of the National Safety Day

The Cabinet has approved a Memorandum submitted by Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe to declare December 26 as the National Safety Day and to Instruct the Ministries of Education, Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment, Public Administration and Home Affairs, Mass Media and Information, Defence Public Security, Law and Order, Post and Telecommunication and Local Government and Provincial Councils to carry-out the relevant programs to mark National Safety Day.

Greater Kandy water supply project

The Cabinet has approved a Memorandum submitted by Water Supply and Drainage Minister A.L.M. Athaulla to expand the Water Supply System in Kandy extending the ongoing phase to meet high demand for pipe-born water in Greater Kandy Area.

And to award the contract to M/s Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd for the contract price of LKR 590,111,702.17 plus JYen 34,596,753.90 plus Customs duties payable amounting to LKR 9,371,000.00 (approximately) plus applicable VAT.

Pre-feasibility study to consider a nuclear power program

The Cabinet has approved a Memorandum submitted by Power and Energy Minister W.D.J Senevirathne to make a policy decision to consider Nuclear Power as an option for meeting the future energy demand of Sri Lanka.

Implementation of greater Ratnapura Water Supply Scheme

The Cabinet has approved a Memorandum submitted by Water Supply and Drainage Minister A.L.M. Athaulla to award the contract for the implementation of the greater Ratnapura Water Supply Scheme- phase I to M/s BEFESA AGUA of Spain for a negotiated sum of Euro 25,800,000 after finalization of funding arrangements with the Government of Spain.

Implementation of National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka Program

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka to implement the National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka Program.

The program includes short, medium and long term targets spanning from 2009-2011 with performance indicators to monitor the progress effectively to mainstream the subject of 'Environment' into the national development planning process. The program covers ten major areas.

Purchase of a building for Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka to purchase the premises at No. 4, Senanayake Building, Galle Road, Dehiwala for Geologic Survey and Mines Bureau head office for a sum of Rs. 215 million as valued by the Government Valuer. The structure of the present building is in good condition as certified by the State Engineering Corporation and the owner has agreed to sell it at Government valuation.