Cabinet decisions

 National Programme on prevention of chronic kidney disease – 2016-2018

The Chronic Kidney Disease which became a major non communicable disease in Sri Lanka recently has spread widely in the North Central, Uva, North-Western, Northern, Central, and Eastern provinces and a considerable number of patients have been reported in the Southern Province. This disease has caused many social and economic issues. To overcome this situation implementation of a prevention programme, early identification of patients, treatment, welfare of patients and their families, and provision of pure drinking water should be continued. In this regard, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, to obtain funds for the national plan on prevention of chronic kidney disease implemented in 2016-2018 by the Presidential Task Force on Prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Construction of a new building for the Homagama Divisional Secretariat

The proposal made by Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardana, to award the above contract as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Declaration of a national integration and reconciliation week

The proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation, to declare the week from January 08th to 14th each year from 2017 as the National Integration and reconciliation week with the view of improving peace, harmony and fraternity among people and to implement various programmes in all schools, media, public and private institutions demonstrating the importance of national integration, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Project for providing recreation facilities around Kumbichchankulama tank, Anuradhapura

Although Anuradhapura city has basic infrastructure and common amenities it does not have sufficient space for recreation activities.

Hence, the proposal made by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, to obtain funds for the project to rehabilitate the Kumbichchankulama Tank and develop its surrounding for providing recreational facilities, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Construction of knuckles information centre – Department of forest conservation

Construction of a Comprehensive Information Centre commenced in 2014 in the Knuckles Reservation Forest but it has been discontinued due to difficulty of obtaining necessary allocations.

The proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to resume its construction using allocations of Rs. 23 million to be received under the “2016-2018 Punarudaya” Programme, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Construction of a new rail track from Kurunegala to Habarana via Dambulla

An environment impact study has already been done in this regard. The proposal made by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, to obtain the service of the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau to assist the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee with regard to the Technical Proposal presented by the Chinese project proposel, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Development of infrastructure in universities

Accommodation facilities to academic and non-academic staff should be provided within universities to retain them in universities outside Colombo. Accordingly, the proposal made by Higher Education and Highways Mnister Lakshman Kiriella, to implement projects for construction of quarters for staff at the Universities of Rajarata, Ruhuna, Wayamba, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Jaffna, and to construct a four storied (04) building to develop the Jaffna regional centre of the Open University of Sri Lanka, and to completely renovate old buildings in the University of Peradeniya, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Resettlement of families displaced due to the Moragahakanda – Kaluganga Development Project in Medirigiriya Divisional secretary’s Division

A portion of families displaced under the above project will be resettled in its catchment area and others are to be resettled on an identified lands of 9,000 hectares in Medirigiriya area of the Mahaweli D Zone. Resettlement development activities are being done covering 04 Grama Niladhari Divisions and it expects to cover the whole divisional secretary’s division. Accordingly, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to expand irrigation and settlement development activities in 09 Grama Niladhari Divisions and to do a feasibility study for the other 32 Grama Niladhari Divisions, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Pilot project on establishment of a ground water monitoring network covering Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Monaragala Districts

Management of ground water in Sri Lanka is very important and obtaining timely data on ground water is essential in this regard. Accordingly, the proposal made by Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, to award the contract for implementing the above project covering river basins of Malwathu Oya in Anuradhapura District, Maduru Oya in Polonnaruwa District and kumbukkan Oya in Monaragala District as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Financing consultancy services for design review and construction supervision of civil works of extension of southern expressway project

Constructions of all 04 phases of extension of Southern Expressway from Matara to Hambantota have commenced in late 2015 and are in progress. The proposal made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, to enter into a framework agreement with the Government of China to obtain a loan of Renminbi Yuan 577 million on the above matter and to enter into a loan agreement with EXIM Bank of China for obtaining the loan, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

‘Awakening Rajarata’ presidential programme -award of four contracts on highways development under ‘let’s awaken Polonnaruwa’ District Development Programme

The proposal made by Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, to award the following four (04) contracts as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Improvement of Manampitiya – Aralaganwila – Maduru Oya road (3.0 km to 33.0 km) Improvement and rehabilitation of Dehiattakandiya – Aralaganwila road (0 km to 21.10 km) Improvement of Minneriay – Galoya road (0 km to 14.54 km) Improvement of Elahera – Giritale road (0 km to 29.0 km)

Expansion of facilities at Monaragala Vocational Training Centre of the National Youth Services Council

The above vocational training centre was established in 1987 and no action has been taken to improve its facilities since then. Accordingly, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to construct a new building for lectured halls for conducting 10 courses to train 250 youths focusing on motor mechanism, construction and tourist hotel industries, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Setup an intravenous solution manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka

Cabinet of Ministers has already approved the setting up of the above plant in Sri Lanka to save a large amount of money spent on pharmaceuticals and other medical equipment and to provide fresh and quality intravenous solutions required for all hospitals in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the proposal made by Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, to award the above project as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.