Provision for settlement of unpaid bills
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economy and Policy Development to present the proposal prepared by the Legal
Draftsman to make provision for settlement of unpaid bills of fiscal year 2019 for Parliamentary approval. Cabinet approval has been granted on February 5, 2020 for amending the Vote on Account 2020.
Funds for Maha Paddy purchasing programme
The Cabinet of Ministers has also approved the proposal presented Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic and Policy Development to provide further funds through the Bank
of Ceylon, People’s Bank and Regional Development Bank for the continuation of Government’s Paddy Purchase Programme for the Maha Season 2019/2020.
Measures have already been taken to release credits worth nearly Rs. 3,830 million through the Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank and Regional Development Bank for the implementation of this paddy purchasing programme which is monitored by the Divisional Secretaries and District Secretaries.
Free visa issuing programme extended
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation to extend the free visa issuing programme for another 3 months from February 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020. The Cabinet of Ministers approved a free visa issuing programme on July 30, 2019 with respect to 48 countries and the programme implemented six months since August 1, 2019. Considering the developments taking place in the tourism field during this period the Cabinet of Ministers approved this proposal.
Lands allocation for industries
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Minister of Industries and Supply Chain Management to allocate lands from regional industrial estates to set up industries.
The Project Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Industries and Supply Chain Management has recommended
the sale of the land to eight investors to initiate projects in Industrial estates. The project proposals of these investors are expected to generate 270 direct employment opportunities and it is expected to invest Rs. 726.3 million for the implementation of these projects.
Weather resistant paddy varieties
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development for implementing a programme in concurrence with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for breeding categories of paddy that are resistant to weather changes and diseases and the parasites probable at present and in the future.
Massive road development project
Re-establishment of the Pettah Manning Market Complex at Peliyagoda - Construction of superstructure, development of interconnected sections of access from the road connected to the expressway, to the proposed shopping complex.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Housing Facilities to award the contract for widening 350m section of interconnected road to Maga. Engineering (Pvt) Ltd.
Road,rail extension project
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Minister of Transport Services Management to construct an additional 43km railway with an improved signal system in addition to the existing road between
Kurunegala- Mahawa using the remaining funds under Indian loan assistance, and to obtain the services of the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau for related consultancy services.
Mineral sands exports
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Minister of Industries and Supply Management to implement a Private Public Partnership programme with Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd. for exporting value added products produced using mineral sands.
SMS facility for EPF members
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations for the implementation of mobile Short Message System (SMS) to update Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) members about the deposit of their monthly contribution.
The number of employees permanently holding Employees Provident Fund membership amounts to 2.6 million at present. According to the existing methodology, the EPF members have to wait for up to 6 – 12 months to know whether their contribution has been deposited in the fund whereas the members are constantly confronted with numerous issues.
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