Following are the decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers on July 31:
Role of coroner streamlined for efficiency
To provide a more efficient and regular service to the people, the Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Ministry has prepared a manual for coroners clearly stating the provisions including the qualifications, responsibilities and roles.
Coroners are appointed on ‘korala’ basis, municipal division basis and hospital basis. As a result, people find it difficult to get the services of coroners due to the inability to identify the boundaries of their jurisdictions. Also, the large number of vacancies in some districts due to the non-appointment of a coroner for a long time is another reason for the people to face inconvenience.
In accordance with the provisions of the new manual for coroners, the Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Ministry has planned to assign all currently appointed coroners to Divisional Secretariats and identified hospitals, to appoint bilingual inspectors for bilingual Divisional Secretariats, and to make new recruitments to fill the remaining vacancies. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved this programme presented by the Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Ministry.
Project to prevent people being affected by flooding of Gin Ganga
The need was felt to implement a project to provide a permanent solution for people affected by flooding of the Gin Ganga. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Irrigation Minister to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with MCC- Sinohydro Consortium to carry on a feasibility study for this purpose.
Revision of National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Health Minister to advise the Legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill for the revision of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act No. 27 of 2006 to enable the appointment of a Medical Officer of Health and Additional Medical Officer of Health as authorized officers.
Supplying services for SriLankan Airlines in Cochin and Jakarta
Bids have been called by SriLankan Airlines to select service providers for providing passenger services, mobile air elevators and air cargo in the international airports of Cochin and Jakarta. On par with the recommendations of the Standing Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister to award the contracts of service supply in Cochin airport to AI Airport Services Ltd, and to PT Gapura Angkasa in Jakarta airport.
Implementation of ‘Aswesuma’ Social Welfare Benefit Programme
Concurrence of the Cabinet of Ministers was decided to be granted for the following programme presented by the President in relation to the payment of benefits with immediate effect under the ‘Aswesuma’ Social Welfare Benefit Programme.
• A total of 1,792,265 beneficiaries have been selected for the initial step of Aswesuma programme by the Welfare Benefits Board and payments are to be made to 1,588,835 beneficiaries with regard to whom no appeals or objections were received.
• Payment of benefits entitled under the category to which beneficiaries have been selected until a final decision is given, after reviewing appeals of 84,374 beneficiaries who have submitted appeals for being included in the higher category, although they have been selected as beneficiaries.
• Objections have been submitted against 119,056 individuals from the selected beneficiaries and payment of benefits until the review process conducted in regard to the said objections have been finalized.
• A total of 393,097 individuals who enjoy Samurdhi benefits at present and have not been selected although have applied for benefits under the programme, to be paid the benefits under the Samurdhi programme until the appeals and objections review process is totally completed under the Aswesuma programme.
• Further payment of already paid kidney disease allowance and disability allowance through the Divisional Secretariats and further payment of elders’ allowance through the post offices.
• Further payment of allowance to 11,660 individuals who are in care-giving homes or religious places and suffering from kidney disease, disabilities or are elderly.
