Sri Lanka’s measures at 43rd HRC Session
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Foreign Affairs Minister to take several measures on the approach of the Sri Lanka Government at the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) to be held in the future and to make necessary diplomatic initiatives to achieve such measures.
Accordingly,Cabinet approval has been granted to declare Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw from the Co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 of March 2019, entitled “Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights of Sri Lanka”, incorporating and based on the Precedent Resolution No. 30/1 of October 2015 and 34/1 of March 2017 and also to continue working with the United Nations Organization and its agencies, including permanent human rights directives/boards and mechanisms and capacity Building and obtaining necessary technical support in accordance with their local priorities and policies.
Approval has also been granted to declare the government’s commitment to achieving sustainable peace through a process of reconciliation and accountability, locally created and implemented, including appropriate adaptation of existing mechanism and all, in line with the Government Policy Framework and appoint a Commission to review pre-Sri Lankan investigation reports of allegations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, assess the progress of implementation of their recommendations, and propose actionable measures to implement in accordance with the new government policy.
Pilot project to distribute environment friendly fertilizer
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by the Minister of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development to prepare and implement a pilot project for the distribution of environment friendly fertilizer free of charge for the farmers with effect from Yala season 2020.
It was decided at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on January 2, 2020 that a methodology should have to be prepared for encouraging the farmers to utilize organic fertilizer with higher standards.
Accordingly, a Cabinet Sub-Committee was appointed to prepare a methodology and submit appropriate recommendations. The Committee points out that it is required to publish the necessary standards for organic liquid fertilizer and bio fertilizer since the Sri Lanka Standards Institute has already declared the precise standards for organic fertilizer. Approximately, 250 organic fertilizer manufacturers are in operation island-wide by now whereas 36 out of them have been issued the certificates of standard.
STGC granted sole authority to import,distribute Aluminium powder
Cabinet approval has also been granted to entrust the sole authority for importing Aluminium powder to State Trading (General) Corporation (STGC) of Sri Lanka and empower the institution to import and distribute Aluminium powder.
Accordingly, the chemical can be issued only to licensed firework manufacturers, licensed trading agents and to those industries utilizing Aluminium powder as a raw material in their productions.
State Trading (General) Corporation of Sri Lanka had imported Aluminium to the country under the approval of the Ministry of Defence prior to initiation of manufacturing Aluminium powder locally by the private sector in the year 2003. However, with the concession of the law to import Aluminium powder, it has been observed that the private sector has tended to continuously import Aluminium powder without manufacturing locally. Therefore, the requirement for the preparation of the legal background for prevention of the said circumstances has been identified.
Earlier Cabinet decision to liquidate State Paper Company (Ltd.) cancelled
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by Industries and Supply Management Minister Wimal Weerawansa to cancel the approval issued by the Cabinet of Ministers to liquidate State Paper Company (Ltd.)
The government has identified the re–inauguration of the state enterprises that have been closed without carrying out production activities while the Ministry of Industries and Supply Management has decided to re–start all the public enterprises with the potential for restructuring although not in operation by now. Accordingly, plans have been drawn to inaugurate manufacturing in the Paper factories under the supervision of State Paper Company (Ltd.) in Valachchenai and Embilipitiya where production activities have been suspended by now while the feasibility studies in the connection is being inaugurated as well.
The decision to liquidate State Paper company was taken earlier by the Cabinet of Ministers with regard to the implementation of a voluntary pension compensation scheme for terminating the service of the employees engaged in service at present.
50,000 unemployed graduates for State sector
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to implement the programme of recruiting 50,000 unemployed graduates for the state sector.
Accordingly, Cabinet approval has been granted to issue trainee appointment letters to the graduates and diploma holders recruited for the training to be made by the relevant District Secretary or Government Agent under the supervision of the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and also to provide training to those trainees by attaching them to recognized institutions.
At completing their training period, they are to be attached to the institutions in rural or remote areas under the central government and the provincial government they have given consent to serve.
Indi-Lanka MoU to develop Jaffna Int’s Airport
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding for the Development of Jaffna International Airport with the Government of India.
Actions have already been taken to develop the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly and Regional international flights have also begun from the Jaffna International Airport. The Government of India has agreed to provide a grant of 300 million Sri Lankan rupees for this purpose. This grant is expected to be used to improve facilities in the areas of airport terminal modification, electricity supply, utility services and transit services.
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