Cabinet Decisions

Draft concept paper and framework for Grama Rajya

The government has paid attention to implementing the Grama Rajya concept with the objective of enabling the public to actively contribute to the development of their region, affirm a comprehensive and sustainable society with social equity and provide a platform for exchanging ideas on development between communities and the government. A committee of experts in the field has prepared the above concept paper and framework and the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Internal Administration and Public Management has made its observations. Accordingly, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to publish the said concept paper and framework in the website of the Prime Minister's office for obtaining public views, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Establishment of Millennium Challenge Corporation Project Unit

Millennium Challenge Corporation is an agency that provides US foreign aid for minimising poverty worldwide. It has agreed to provide an investment of USD 700 million to develop the fields of policy instability, access for lands and transport, water and waste water infrastructure, electricity and education for the economic progress of Sri Lanka within the next 05 years. Accordingly, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to establish a Millennium Challenge Corporation Project Unit at the Prime Minister's Office to take necessary action in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Census of population and housing 2021 – Mapping stage

The census of population and housing is done once in 10 years. The next census is scheduled to be done in 2021 and its preliminary mapping stage based on Grama Niladhari Divisions has commenced and will continue till April 2020. Accordingly, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to obtain necessary funds in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Establishment of Bio-technology innovation Park

Industries and researches regarding bio-technology should be promoted in the country and Rs. 100 million has been allocated for establishment of the Bio-technology Innovation Park in the budget 2017. Accordingly, the proposal made by Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha,to establish the Bio-technology Innovation Park in the Nanotechnology and Science Park in Pitipana, Homagama as a public-private partnership, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Excise Notification No. 994 (Gazette Extra ordinary No. 1998/7 dated 20-12-2016)

The Department of Excise issued four licence types free with permits for sale of foreign liquor till 2017 and the above gazette notification imposed an annual licence fee of Rs. 100,000 on these licences and an annual licence fee of Rs. 50,000 for sale of bottled toddy with effect from January 1, 2017 under article 25 to be read with article 32 of the Excise Ordinance and the proposal made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, to present the said gazette notification in parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Agreement between SL and Myanmar on waiver of Visa requirement for diplomatic and official passport holders

The proposal made by Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Minister S.B. Navinna, to sign the above agreement to enable such persons to travel and stay in the counterpart state without obtaining visa for a period not exceeding 30 days, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Agreements for financial and technological cooperation of Norwegian Government for long term fisheries policy and action plan

The proposal made by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, to enter into two agreements between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries of Norway and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka on the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Agreements between Sri Lanka and Russia on cooperation in fisheries sector

The proposal made by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, to sign the above agreement during the official visit of the President to Russia scheduled on March 22 to 25, 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Implementation of rural infrastructure and livelihood development programme

Under the above programme, 241 infrastructure development programmes and 145 livelihood development programmes were successfully implemented in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa Districts in 2016. It has been identified to expand this programme covering the whole island, with developing public facilities, self-employment projects, and small and medium scale enterprise projects. Accordingly, the proposal made by Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harrison, to expand the programme to Mullaitivu, Galle, Monaragala, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Puttalam and Matale Districts in 2017 and implement through District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries and relevant public institutions and to obtain necessary funds, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Agreement for mutual cooperation on trade activities between SL and Czech Republic

The proposal made by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, to sign an agreement on mutual cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade of Sri Lanka on cooperation in trade related affairs, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Construction of Mannar-Nadukuda transmission line under Green energy development and energy efficiency improvement investment programme

ADB has granted a loan of USD 166.6 million for the second phase of the above programme and it is used for constructing a transmission line of 30 km from Mannar to Nadukuda. Accordingly, the proposal made by Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, to award the above contract to the lowest responsive bidder KEC International Limited at a cost of Rs. 1,379.9 million, as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Construction of cold stores in Dambulla and Keppetipola Economic centres – award of contract for consultancy services

Budget 2016 allocated Rs. 2000 million to the Rural Economic Affairs Ministry for constructing cold stores and a feasibility study done by a committee of intellectuals has recommended constructing two cold stores in Dambulla and Keppetipola economic centres and the cabinet has already granted its approval. Accordingly, the proposal made by Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harrison, to award the above contract to Design Consultant Company as recommended by Cabinet Appointed Consultant Procurement Committee at a cost of Rs. 30.1 million without VAT, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Strengthening of the National Equipment and Machinery Organization

A Committee of Officials was appointed to assess the capability of the National Equipment and Machinery Organization by the cabinet of ministers at its meeting held on August 9, 2016. Accordingly, the proposal made by Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa, to award direct contracts without calling for bids by public institutions and to increase the current limit of Rs. 25 million to Rs. 50 million for renting equipment from that organization, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Greater Colombo water and waste water management Improvement investment programme – project 3

ADB has granted a loan of USD 112.83 million for the above project and it is intended to apply a part of loan for provision of new gravity sewers, force mains and pump stations for Kirulapona Catchment Area. Accordingly, the proposal made by Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Musthapha, to award the above contract to lowest competitive bidder M/s Larsen & Toubro Limited at a cost of Rs. 7,015.91 million as recommended by Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Appointment of University of Moratuwa as the consulting agency for construction of Kelaniya Police station

The cabinet has already approved the constructing of model police stations enabling a better service in the future. Accordingly, the proposal made by Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake, to appoint University of Moratuwa as the consulting agency for construction of Kelaniya Police Station, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Agreements between Sri Lanka and Russia on cooperation in science, technology and innovation

The proposal made by Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha, to sign the above agreement during the official visit of the President to Russia scheduled on March 2017 between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between University of Notre Dame in USA and National Aquatic resources research and development agency SL

The Notre Dame and NARA has closely worked together for last few years on the Bay of Bengal and have intended to implement a new multi-year programme from 2017 for 05 years. With the objective of formalising this partnership the proposal made by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, to sign the above MoU during his visit to University of Notre Dame in USA, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Agreements between Sri Lanka and Russia on cooperation in combating crimes and fostering police assistance

The cabinet has approved signing such an agreement on June 6, 2014 but it has not been signed yet. The proposal made by Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake, to sign the above agreement during the official visit of the President to Russia scheduled in March 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Obtaining financial assistance of Saudi Riyal 273.75 million from Saudi fund for development for implementation of Wayamba Township development programme and Mahaweli left bank lower basin development project

The proposal made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, to hold loan negotiations and to enter into loan agreements on the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Rural infrastructure development projects in emerging regions

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agrees to provide a loan of Japanese Yen 12,957 million (Approximately Rs. 17,369 million) for the above project and accordingly, the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to enter into a loan agreement with JICA, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Signing a protocol between Sri Lanka and Russia on cooperation in Cultural sector

The proposal made by Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Minister S.B. Navinna, to sign the above protocol during the official visit of H.E. the President to Russia scheduled in March 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Enter into long-term contracts for purchase of petrol and diesel

The proposal made by Petroleum Resources Development Minister Chandima Weerakkody, to award the contracts for purchase of 4,200,000 Bbls of Diesel (Max. sulphur percentage 0.05) and 956,250 Bbls of Petrol (92 Unl) for eight months from March 1, 2017 to October 31, 2017 as recommended by Cabinet Appointed Special Procurement Committee respectively to M/s Swiss Singapore Overseas Pte. Ltd and M/s. Gunvor Singapore Pte. Ltd, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Paddy Purchasing Programme during the Maha season 2015/16

A harvest of 1.32 MT is expected in Maha season 2016/2017 and the government plans to purchase 73,500 MT of them covering 17 districts. Hence, the proposal made by Rural Economic Affairs Minster P. Harrison, Minister of , to purchase paddy directly from farmers with the cooperation of District Secretaries/Government Agents and to purchase a kilogram of Keeri Samba and other Samba types for Rs. 41 and a Kilogram of Nadu for Rs. 38, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Improving of Institute of Engineering technology, Katunayake

The proposal made by Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, to award the above contract to M/s KUHN International Project GmbH Co KG as recommended by Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee subject to a maximum of Euro 9.5 million for improving the institute to enable increasing of annual enrolment of students from 300 to 500 was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Implementation of interest subsidy loan schemes proposed through the budget 2017

The budget 2017 has allocated funds for implementing 12 loan schemes in several fields and for the ease of implementation it will be done under eight schemes through state and private banks. The proposal made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.