Investment strategy and policy framework — Selediva Investments Limited
In pursuance of the decision of the Cabinet granted on March 4, 2020 to set up a real estate development company with the Government ownership to enhance the performance of the government owned institutions in hospitality trade by restructuring investors, steps have been taken to establish Selendiva Investments Limited with the 100 per cent ownership to the General Treasury. Kanwill Holdings Private Limited, Hotel Developers (Lanka) Limited and Hotels Colombo Limited owned by the Government have been taken over under Selendiva Investments Limited by now.
An investment facilitation structure has been planned by Selendiva Investments Limited under the private -public partnership for facilitating the recognised institutions and investors under the ownership of the Government whereas three investment portfolios have been recognised to be implemented as the 'Colombo Fort Heritage Square', 'Immovable Property Development', and `The Government — Owned Hospitality Sector'. The Cabinet has granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Prime Minister as the Urban Development and Housing Minister for taking necessary steps.
Re-establishing Welikada Prison in Millewa, Horana and using Welikada Prison land for a mixed urban development project
The Welikada Prison in 42 acres is to be re-established in a part of the Millewa Watte land in 200 acres in Horana. Considering even the future requirements, it has been planned to construct a new prison in the land while transferring the land where the Welikada prison is at present to the Urban Development Authority so that the land can be provided on long term lease to local and foreign investors formally selected for implementing development projects. The Cabinet approved the resolutions included in the combined Cabinet Memorandum by the Prime Minister as the Urban Development and Housing Minister and the the Justice Minister.
Insurance coverage for migrant Sri Lankan employees
The Foreign Employment Bureau has provided an Overseas Labour Insurance Coverage for Sri Lankan foreign employees. Under this insurance coverage, foreign employees are paid compensations subject to a maximum of Rs. 600,000 in case of death of an employee and Rs. 400,000 in case of total disability.
However, these employees have no coverage for various industrial and domestic accidents in the workplace, access to medical care for mental and health problems due to various illnesses and harassment by employers and job losses due to pandemics such as COVID 19.
The Cabinet, therefore, approved the proposal by the Labour Minister to introduce a suitable insurance scheme for Sri Lankan foreign employees.
Transferring land belonging to Department of Irrigation to Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo
The Department of Irrigation has agreed to hand over 0.1765 hectares of land at No. 330, Dr. N.M. Perera Mawatha, Colombo 8 to the Indigenous Medical Institute. The Board of Management of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine has scheduled to construct an eight storey multi-purpose building complex on the land including the Clinical Skills Development Lab and Study Hall, Sri Lanka Traditional Food Processing Training Centre and Canteen. The Urban Development Authority has also given its approval for the construction. The Cabinet approved the proposal by Education Minister to transfer this land to the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo.
Environmental Conversation by Green Entrepreneurship Promotion
The Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour Government Policy Statement propose to increase the total forest cover of the island up to 30 per cent. The Environment Ministry is implementing the Surakimu Ganga National Environmental Conservation Programme and the Husma Dena Thuru Tree Planting Programme throughout the country through a number of parties including government agencies, the private sector, NGOs and voluntary organisations. It is planned to set up 650 new plant nurseries throughout Sri Lanka to procure the required plants for the programme and to build up green entrepreneurs with the encouragement of the rural community. The Cabinet approved the proposal by the Environment Ministry to 650 low-income families under this programme will be given the opportunity to become green entrepreneurs by providing formal training as nurseries.
Amending 2013 Land Acquisition (Paying Compensation) Orders
The Cabinet approval has been granted to pay compensation for 20 identified projects under the Land Acquisition and Restoration Committee Scheme (LARC) and the Restoration Special Committee Scheme (Super LARC) and the relevant orders have been issued in accordance with the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. The Cabinet approval has been granted to follow the similar procedure for paying compensation for lands acquired for the following projects.
Colombo Capital based Urban Development Project • Railway project from Kurunegala to Habarana via Dambulla • Strategic Urban Development Projects • Grid substations and Transmission Line Project under the funds of the Asian Development Bank
The Cabinet approved the proposal tabled by the Land Minister to submit the 2013 Land Acquisition (Paying Compensation) Orders published in the Gazette on March 18 to Parliament for approval.
Introducing guidelines for COVID-19 Procurement
The need of simplifying procurement procedure has been identified concerning Health Ministry, Defense Ministry and State Ministries under those Ministries to procure essential materials relevant to the health sector without delay. The Cabinet approved the proposal by the Prime Minister in his capacity as the Finance Minister to issue new guidelines revising the procurement procedure to enable the expeditious procurement of vaccines, medical equipment, other medical necessities and essential items.
