Cabinet Decisions

Establishment of a panel of intellectuals on management of impacts of natural disasters

The proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to appoint the above panel comprised of representatives from relevant institutions for making recommendations on short term and long term steps to be taken for minimizing the impacts of natural disaster, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Establishment of national mechanism for mitigating of emission of greenhouse gases in Sri Lanka

As Sri Lanka is internationally bound to mitigate emission of greenhouse gases, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to implement National Appropriate Mitigation Actions successfully and for that purpose to nominate Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment as the centre for approval if projects, establish the relevant coordinating unit at Climate Change Secretariat, and to establish the relevant mechanism and institutional framework, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Management of polythene use for minimizing its environmental impact

The proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to implement short-term, medium-term and long-term activities recommended by the committee of intellectuals appointed in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Short-term measures

· Prohibition of polythene use for decorations in all events

· Implement the prevailing regulations for prohibition of use, sale and production of polythene equals or less than 20 microns.

· Allow use of polythene less than 20 microns for essential activities only on the approval of Central Environmental Authority

· Prohibition of sale, importation and production of lunch sheets

· Prohibition of sale, importation and production of containers, plates, cups, spoons made using polystyrene

· Prohibition of sale of processed or cooked meals packed in polythene containers

· Promotion of providing paper, cloth or reed bags or biologically degradable plastics for customers when purchasing items in stores

· Prohibition of burning polythene and plastic in open places

· Introduction and promotion of biologically degradable polythene and plastics

Midterm activities

· Provision of tax concessions in importation of machinery used in biologically degradable plastic productions

· Imposing a cess tax of 15 percent on importation of plastic row material and goods

Long-term activities

· Completely

prohibition of recycled plastic products

Study on providing drinking water for people in Jaffna peninsula by developing water resources in Wadamarachchi lagoon

The main obstacle in providing drinking water to people in Jaffna Peninsula is the lack of suitable water resources and therefore it has been decided to establish a seawater treatment plant as a solution.

In addition, it has been proposed to store water from rains from October to December in Wadamarachchi lagoon to be used in a water supply project and accordingly, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study in this regard with relevant institutions, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Introduction of a loan scheme for young graduates to start businesses

Applications have been called for provision of above loans and 80 applications have been received. Accordingly, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to grants loans for 40 proposals which have been recommended by the sectoral evaluation committee through BOC and People's Bank, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between Sri Lanka Standards Institution and Standards and Research Institution of Bangladesh

The proposal made by Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha, to sign the above MoU during the official visit of the President in Bangladesh, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Bilateral cooperation with Russia on technology and innovation

According to cooperation agreements made during recent official visit of the President in Russia, the proposal made by Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha, to implement a programme for providing short term training opportunities to Sri Lankan professionals in fields such as space technology and applications, robotics, and bio-engineering, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Osu Govi Herbal Products Company to continue under Ministry of Primary Industries

Above company was incorporated in 2007 and proposals were called to maintain it as a public private partnership but no suitable investor has been identified. Hence, to continue activities of this company the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to transfer its assets to the Ministry of Primary Industries.

Holding the 6th SAARC Health Ministers' Meeting on 27-29 July 2017 at Colombo

In line with the above meeting, it has been organized to hold meetings of Health Secretaries, Technical Committees, and SAARC Committee of Experts on 27-28 July 2017. Accordingly, the proposal made by Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, to host above meetings, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Amendment of Regulation of the Insurance Industry Act, No. 43 of 2000

Above act has been amended with several amendments, including renaming the Sri Lanka Insurance Board as Sri Lanka Insurance Regulatory Commission. The proposal made by Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, to publish the prepared bill in gazette and subsequently present in parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Proposed tax amendments on soya and poonac

Considering a proposal made for providing tax concessions to soya productions, the proposal made by Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, to implement several steps in this regard including continuing prevailing tax structure for soya beans import, exempt from duty the importation of soya seeds, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Continuation of Weligama coconut leaf wilt disease prevention programme

Above disease has caused considerable damage to coconut cultivation in the Southern Province and a programme launched in 2008 to prevent the disease has stopped the spreading of disease outside the province. The proposal made by Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake, to continue the programme for further 03 years until the disease is completely controlled using Rs. 213.60 million allocations, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Payment of contributions for International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Cabinet has already approved obtaining the membership of the above treaty and the proposal made by Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, to pay contributions for years 2016 and 2017 in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Amendment of Prescriptions (Special Provisions) Act No 5 of 2016

Above act enables persons who lost their property due to 30 year long war to gain them back and its provisions are valid till 25 April 2018. As there are many who could not still take any action in regaining their property under this act, the proposal made by Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, to amend this act for extending the period of the validity of its provisions for further two years, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Allocation of lands to build houses for labourers residing in the land of Mahaberiyathenna Farm

The proposal made by Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harrison, to allocate 12 acres for providing seven perches each for 210 labourers residing in above land for building of houses, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Issuing of title deeds for houses constructed under estate housing projects

As the cabinet has approved providing a land of seven perches for estate community, the proposal made by Hill Country New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development Minister U. Palani Thigambaram, to provide formal title deeds for all houses constructed and vested in these communities from 2010 to 2016, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Making relief to school children affected by recent disaster and rebuilding of damaged schools

Four hundred and seventy two schools in the country have been damaged due to recent disaster and accordingly, the proposal made by Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, to relocate some of schools, rehabilitate necessary facilities including furniture, library, laboratories and sports items, and to provide three sets of uniforms and a pair of shoes for each student, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Modernization of school class rooms for quality education

In line with the development occurred in the field of education, the proposal made by Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, to replace wooden and iron furniture in classrooms with PVC free polymer furniture within the next four years for making a better learning environment for students, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Transfer of the land which Mahiyangana Unit of Sri Lanka Police College is situated to Sri Lanka Police

The proposal made by Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake, to transfer the above said land of 141 acres, three roods and 11.03 perches, to the Sri Lanka Police, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Construction of quarters for officers of the National Police Academy, Katana

Officers engaged in administrative tasks of the above college should be provided accommodation and 11 quarters should be constructed. Accordingly, the proposal made by Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake, to commence the project using allocations of 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Development of Digital Economy in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has gained a considerable growth in the digital field but it is not sufficient to develop the digital economy of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the joint proposal made by Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando and Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, to prepare suitable strategies for digitalising the economy and to implement the proposed project, by these ministries, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Future plan for export competition in Sri Lanka through entrepreneurship and innovation

The joint proposal made by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha, and Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, to appoint three action groups, and to establish an entrepreneurship and innovation secretariat under the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, on implementing the above programme, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Restructuring of Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Ltd

A Cabinet Subcommittee chaired by Minister of Special Assignments and membership of other 07 ministers was appointed on the above matter and the Cabinet of Ministers has approved implementation of its recommendations.

Award of contracts for construction of buildings in universities

The proposal made by Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, to award following contracts, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

· Six-storeyed building for faculty of science in University of Colombo

· Lecture hall buildings for University of Kelaniya

· Buildings for Faculty of Technology in Sri Jayewardenepura University

Purchase of a PET/CT Scanner for Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama

The proposal made by Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, to conduct the above purchase using money donated by a large number of donors, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Reestablishment and improvement of Anamaduwa Technical College

The proposal made by Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody, to award the above contract as recommended by Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Allocation of the land called 'Sathyavadi' in Kurunegala to a mixed development project

The proposal made by Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, to lease the above land of one acre, one rood and 21.15 perches to M/s Fairway Holdings (Pvt) Ltd for a mixed development project, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Providing a pair of shoes for students in rural and isolated schools

The proposal made by Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, to provide a voucher for students from 2017 for purchasing shoes which enables them to buy shoes without delay, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Establishment of Kawashima Compost machines in provincial level

The proposal made by Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faizer Mustafa, to purchase nine Kawashima Compost machines to establish nine compost plants in all the provinces as a solution to waste issue in the country, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between Micro: bit educational foundation and Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure

The proposal made by Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando, to sign the above MoU for implementation of the project called 'Awareness of internet of things through use of basic hardware', and to purchase equipments required in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Introduction of electronic identity registration for Sri Lankans

The proposal made by Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando, to provide all Sri Lankans a definite electronic registration number, and ensure benefits given by the government are productively granted to relevant beneficiaries, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel and Chittagong BGMEA Fashion and Technological Institution in Bangladesh

The proposal made by Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, to sign the above MoU during the forthcoming visit of the President to Bangladesh, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between Ceylon Shipping Corporation and National Shipping Corporation of Bangladesh on naval enterprises

The proposal made by Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, to sign the above MoU during the forthcoming visit of H.E. the President to Bangladesh, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Recruitment of graduates to public service

It is important to obtain the service of graduates in development process of the country and therefore, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to recruit graduates subject to a one year training period in district level for vacancies decided by the Department of Management Services, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Report on midyear financial status

The proposal made by Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, to present the above report comprising of financial status within first four months of the year 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for cooperation in higher education field

The proposal made by Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, to sign the above MoU between University Grant Commissions of two countries during the forthcoming visit of H.E. the President to Bangladesh, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on information and broadcasting

The proposal made by Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, to sign the above MoU for cooperation in the said fields during the forthcoming visit of the President to Bangladesh, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers..

MoU between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for economic and investment cooperation

The proposal made by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, to sign the following agreements during the forthcoming visit of the President to Bangladesh, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers

· MoU on economic cooperation

· MoU between Investment Development Authority of Bangladesh and Board of Investment of Sri Lanka on investment cooperation