Cabinet Decisions

Implementation of national biodiversity strategic action plan 2016-2022

Sri Lanka has signed the Convention on Biological Diversity prepared in line with the Earth Summit held in 1992 and accordingly Sri Lanka has implemented numerous programmes in this regard from 1992 to 2016. Moreover, the National Biological Intellectual Committee has prepared a National Action Plan that includes numerous programmes to be implemented within 2016 to 2022. Accordingly, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Mahaweli Development and Environment Minister, to implement the above action plan prepared with the objectives of conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of biological resources, and equal distribution of its benefits, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Regulation of tourist hotels

The proposal made by Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunge, to present the directions, orders, and rules in parliament for approval which were published by the Minister in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 1963/28 dated 20-04-2016 under the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 with regard to the matters of direction of minimum capacities and facilities for classification of tourist hotels from 1 star to 5 star, decide on licence fees, making provisions regarding the discipline maintained by tourist hotels, registration and issuing licence for tourist hotels, and decide on minimum space and facilities in a tourist hotel, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Declaration of national parks, new wildlife sanctuaries, amendment of borders of declared sanctuaries

Priority should be given to protect natural forests, wetlands and wildlife in Sri Lanka and to minimise the destruction of animal shelters risked by various illegal activities. Accordingly, the following proposals made by Sustainable Development and Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

* Declare the forest area belongs to Kala Wewa and Balalu Wewa in Kahalla – Pallekele Sanctuary in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala Districts as 'Kala Wewa National Park' and declare its rest forest area in Kurunegala District as 'Kahalla – Pallekele National Park'.

* Declare 'Kayankarni Marine Natural Reservation' covering the marine area in Pasikuda in Trincomalee District.

* Declare the forest area around the Kotuattawala Wewa in Nikaweratiya Divisional Secretary's Division in Kurunegala District as the 'Kotuattawala Sanctuary'.

* Declare Akurala wetland in Hikkaduwa Divisional Secretary's Division in Galle District as 'Akurala Wildlife Sanctuary'.

* Declare Kodigahakanda forest in Horana Divisional Secretary's Division in Kaluthara District as 'Kodigahakanda Wildlife Sanctuary'.

* Declare the marine area including the coral reefs which the Kuda Ravana and Maha Ravana lighthouses are located as 'Kuda Ravana Maha Ravana Marine Sanctuary'.

* Amendment of borders of Madu Ganga Sanctuary in Balapitiya Divisional Secretary's Division in Galle District.

Establishment of National science technology and innovation coordinating authority

The proposal made by Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha, to establish the above authority to facilitate the coordination of research and development activities administered by 21 line ministries and about 80 research institutions and research centres, with the view of gaining the maximum outcome of investments made on science, technology and innovation for the socio-economic development, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Proposed national elderly health policy and strategies

Increase in elder population due to increase of expected lifetime and decrease in childbirths is a timely issue faced by Sri Lanka. It is expected that elder population over 60 years of age which is currently 12% will increase to 16% in 2020 and to 29% in 2050. It is essential to properly direct the elderly healthcare services to face this situation. Accordingly, the National Elderly Health Policy presented by Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

National policy on health information

When essential health services, prevention and treatment services are provided by government hospitals diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of outcomes, administrative decisions, planning and supervision should be duly performed. Availability of an accurate, reliable and easily accessible, cost effective information system is very helpful in this regard. The health information system in Sri Lanka is mainly consisted of government related information and information of private healthcare providers will be added in the future. Moreover, the existing paper based method of obtaining data should be improved with modern information technology. Accordingly, the National Policy on Health Information prepared according to national health services policy and presented by Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Development of infrastructures at University of Vocational Technology, Ratmalana

About 1,600 students are reading for the Bachelor of Technology degree in the above university and applicants are increasing gradually for this course. Most of the students are from remote areas and there are no sufficient hostel facilities and a limited space is available in the existing canteen. Accordingly, the proposal made by Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, to construct a new hostel for providing accommodation for 600 students and a canteen with a seating capacity of 300 and a workshop at an estimated cost of Rs. 927.34 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Incorporation of Ceylon German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI)

The CGTTI is under the purview of the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training and considering the requirement of incorporating it as a separate legal institution the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute Bill has been prepared. Accordingly, the proposal made by Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, to publish the above bill in gazette and subsequently present in parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Upgrading the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel to a degree offering institute

The above institute is currently engaged in training, quality checking, and provision of industrial and consultancy services in the textile and apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Currently, about 4,500 students are following short term and long term courses for offering certificates and diplomas.

It has been proposed to upgrade this institution to a degree offering institution with the association of Lovely Professional University in Punjab, India for developing capabilities of students to face the competition in the job market. Accordingly, the proposal made by Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel and Lovely Professional University in Punjab, India, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Development of Sri Arahantha Maliyadewa Raja Maha Vihara in Vattarama

The proposal made by Buddha Sasana Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, to allocate additional funds of Rs. 35 million to complete development of the sacred place of Sri Arahantha Maliyadewa Raja Maha Vihara in Vattarama, in the Galigamuwa Divisional Secretary's Division in Kegalle District where the public Vesak Festival in 2017 is to be held, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Recommendations of the Cabinet Subcommittee on proposed registration of electors (special Provisions) bill

Implementation of the Registration of Electors (Special Provisions) Act No. 27 of 2013 has terminated on June 19, 2015 which provided for securing the voting rights of displaced persons who dwell in temporary settlements due to conflict situations in the northern part of the country. Accordingly, the proposal made by Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, to publish the proposed Registration of Electors (Special Provisions) bill in gazette and subsequently present in parliament for approval which was prepared according to the recommendations of the above Cabinet Subcommittee to extend its validity period for further 04 years, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Rehabilitation of the Elphinstone Theatre

The Elphinstone Theatre which was constructed in 1925 and acquired by the government in 1988 is currently administrated by the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation. It is currently being rehabilitated with a seating capacity of 600 and it will be opened for public within the first quarter of 2017. The proposal made by Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, to obtain required additional allocations to complete its renovations, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Construction of Value Addition Centres for vegetable and fruits in Sri Lanka

The government has taken steps to facilitate local farmers and entrepreneurs to export vegetables and fruits targeting foreign market to conform to standards and requirements of foreign countries. Accordingly, the proposal made by Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage, to establish 03 Value Addition Centres adjacent to farms with public-private partnership with processing, packing and storing facilities, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Greater Colombo Water and wastewater management improvement investment programme – project 2

The above project is implemented with the funds provided by Asian Development Bank and Agence Francaise de Developpement.

The proposal made by City Planning and Water Supply Minister Rauff Hakeem, to award the contract for construction of an underground reservoir in Gothatuwa with a capacity of 15,000 m3, Gothatuwa pumping station and booster pump station and supply and laying of 1,200 mm DI pipes under the above project as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Construction of Siyambalanduwa Water Supply Scheme

The above project will supply safe drinking water for 8450 houses in Siyambalanduwa and Muthukandiya areas in the Monaragala District. The proposal made by City Planning and Water Supply Minister Rauff Hakeem, to award the contract for construction of this water supply scheme as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

'Let's Protect Children' National Programme 2017-2019

The government has identified the need of protecting children from various threats prevailing in the country. Accordingly, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, to implement the 'Let's Protect Children' National Programme within 03 years of 2017-2019 according to the action plan prepared covering all aspects under the three (03) main sections of prevention of abuse/abduction, health, nutrition and welfare, and personality development, education and life skills, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.