Cabinet Decisions

Implementing guidelines for maintaining public institution buildings as environmentally friendly green buildings

The Cabinet has already approved the guidelines for maintaining buildings in public institutions as green buildings. Accordingly, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Mahaweli Development and Environment Minister, to obtain the approval for comprehensive guidelines that include the method of measuring the betterment on environment and the institutional structure required for its implementation, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Increasing awareness of teachers on environmental studies according to the new syllabus

As per the various conventions adopted by politicians and environmental organisations environmentally sensitive sections have been introduced to the new syllabus of science subject from grade 6 to 11, with the view of educating students on facing future challenges of climate change. Accordingly, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Mahaweli Development and Environment Minister, to implement a programme to increase awareness of teachers on environmental studies for changing the attitudes of school children regarding the environment, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Providing facilities for medical faculties of Rajarata, Eastern Universities and Allied health Science faculty of the University of Peradeniya

Providing necessary medical equipment for above faculties is a priority need to uplift their standards. Accordingly, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the National Policies and Economic Affairs Minister, to hold discussions and to enter into an agreement for obtaining a loan at concessionary conditions from a Bank in Austria on the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Agreement between Sri Lanka and Australia for development cooperation

The two countries hold development cooperation for more than 60 years and a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed in this regard in 1998. Considering the policy changes in the two countries the MoU has been prepared again and the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the National Policies and Economic Affairs Minister, to sign the said agreement, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Obtaining additional funds required for Kalu Ganga Development Project

The project is currently being implemented under the funding of the Saudi Fund for Development, Kuwait Fund for Arabic Economic Development, Opec Fund for International Development and is scheduled to be completed by 2018. USD 89.85 million from the total cost of USD 140.35 million has been provided by development partners and about USD 50.5 million has to be obtained. Accordingly, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the National Policies and Economic Affairs Minister, to enter into an agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arabic Economic Development for obtaining another loan of USD 16.5 million for the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Project for developing market facilities in tourism field

The government of Australia has presented a proposal to implement the above project investing 12 million Australian Dollars within 04 years. The project aims to attract more international customers related to tourism industry. Accordingly, the proposal made by Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunge, to enter into an agreement with the Government of Australia with the financial assistance of Australia for implementing the above project, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Puttalam Integrated tourism development plan

Puttalam and Kalpitiya are with a greater potential of developing as a main tourism zone in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the proposal made by Sustainable Development and Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, to implement a project under the Puttalam Integrated tourism Development Plan within the two years from 2017 to 2018 with the view of developing this area as a sustainable tourism zone, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Hosting the 10th Air Services Negotiation Event of the International Civil Aviation Organization

The above organisation has been established as a UN representative agency for management and administration of International Civil Aviation Convention which was signed in 1944. Sri Lanka has obtained its membership in 1948. Conference on Aviation Negotiations has been held annually by this organisation for providing a platform for all member states to enter into new negotiations in the aviation field. The proposal made by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, to host the above convention in 2017 to be held in Sri Lanka from December 04-08, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Allocation of a block of land for the Palestine Embassy

The proposal made by Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera, to allocate a land for the Palestine Embassy for constructing a permanent building in Hewa Avenue, Colombo 07, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The MoU between Academy of Labour and social Relations of the Russian Federation and the National Institute of Labour studies, Sri Lanka

The National Institute of Labour Studies is operating for implementing researches and training programmes for widening the labour studies field and it expects to keep cooperation with foreign institutions and organisations to achieve its goals. Accordingly, the proposal made by Labour and Trade Union Relations Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne, to enter in to an MoU between NILS of Sri Lanka and Academy of Labour and Social Relations of Russia, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between UAE and Sri Lanka for Higher Education Field cooperation

The proposal made by Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education – Higher Education in United Arab Emirates and Ministry of Higher Education and Highways to strengthen the cooperation in the higher education field, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Agreement between Sri Lanka and Iran on Science, technology and innovation

The proposal made by Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha, to sign the above agreement during his oncoming official visit to Iran from January 14 to 17, 2017 for strengthening the ties related to the above fields, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Increasing the annual grant for Sri Lanka Cancer Society

Sri Lanka Cancer Society is a volunteer organisation established in 1948 to help cancer patients with the contributions of various donors. Its hospice “Shantha Sewana” and “Bandaranaike Memorial Cancer Home provides free of charge treatment for cancer patients. Considering the service rendered by the said society as a volunteer organisation, the proposal made by Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, to increase the annual grant provided to them from Rs. 550,000 to Rs. 2,000,000, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Amendment to the prevention of mosquito breeding act no. 11 of 2007

Dengue has become a major issue in Sri Lanka and the most fruitful step to face this challenge is to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes. The above act provides the legal framework in this regard and the proposal made by Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft amendments to the said act for rectifying deficiencies currently prevailing in the act, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Establishment of Public private partnership division

The government has paid attention to implement its priority projects with public private partnership. Accordingly, the joint proposal made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Development Strategies & International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, to setup a separate division under the Finance Ministry with experts in this field to support and advice the relevant ministry on selection, implementation and management of such projects, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Providing land for NIBM new building

Currently about 10,500 students participate in courses conducted by the National Institute of Business Management in Colombo 07 and the demand for such courses are gradually increasing. However, there is not enough space to cater to the demand. Accordingly, the joint proposal made by Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe and Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, to grant a land of 45 perches belonging to the Agriculture Ministry located in close proximity to NIBM, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Allocation of land in Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Battaramulla to the Department of Divineguma Development

The proposal made by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, to release the above land belongs to the Urban Development Authority for building the Head Office of the Divineguma Development Department, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Implementation of municipal solid waste processing projects in Karadiyana and Muthurajawela areas

It has been proposed to implement two projects for generating electricity through waste using the technology of incineration. They are to be implemented under public private partnership and accordingly, the proposal made by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, to award the relevant contracts for investors selected through the government’s procurement procedure, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Development and improvement of Godigamuwa Tank in Matale District

The Godigamuwa Tank has a capacity of about 45 acre feet. The proposal made by Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, to develop and improve the said tank to 202 acre feet at a cost of Rs. 165.9 million for providing irrigation water for 162 families in Dambagalla, Bambaragahawatta, and Halambagahawatta villages in Navula area, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Amendment of Irrigation Ordinance No. 32 of 1946 to suit timely necessities

Department of Irrigation manages all irrigation related activities in the whole island except the Mahaweli area. To perform this responsibility effectively the joint proposal made by Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, and Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, to amend the above ordinance to suit present day needs, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Extension of expired agreement periods of the furnace oil power plants from six (06) months

The proposal made by Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, to extend the agreement periods with the following power plants to face the possible electricity deficit caused by drought, was considered by the Cabinet of Ministers and approved for six (06) months.

Ace Power Plant Embilipitiya

Ace Power Plant Matara

Heladhanavi Power Plant Puttalam

Procurement of 60 Mw of supplementary power for a 06 month period to ensure uninterrupted power supply

According to recommendations made by the Public Utilities Commission on the above matter, more generation capacity should be added to the national grid. Accordingly, the proposal made by Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, to purchase generators of approximately 60 Mw through open international competitive bidding, to be used in short term generation for around six (06) months, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Providing relief under emergency disaster conditions to householders adversely affected by the water leaks of the main tunnel of the Uma Oya Multipurpose development project

The Uma Oya project is implemented to provide water for the Kirindi Oya basin. A leakage in its main tunnel caused damage to houses and wells have dried up in 08 Grama Niladhari Divisions. To bring this situation to normalcy, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Mahaweli Development and Environment Minister, to provide immediate relief such as building new houses for completely damaged houses and provide water supply free of charge, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Implementation of government borrowing programme 2017

The proposal made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, to issue Sri Lanka Development Bonds of USD 1,500 million to strengthen the government borrowing programme 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 2013

A bill to provide provisions for securing the rights of detainees was drafted in 2016 but with comments of some interested parties was not tabled in parliament and instead a new committee was appointed with representatives of the Sri Lanka Bar Association and Attorney Generals Department to prepare a more acceptable draft. According to its recommendations, the proposal made by Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft legislation in this regard and publish it in the gazette and subsequently to present it in parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Policy and Legal framework relating to the proposed counter terrorism Act of Sri Lanka

The proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to forward the amended policy and legal framework for introduction of a new counter terrorism law to the observations of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security and to initiate action to draft suitable legislation with regard to national security of Sri Lanka, unity and territorial integrity, prevention of terrorism and procedure to be followed in terrorism related offences, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.