Cabinet Decisions

Permits for passenger transport buses on Southern Expressway

The proposal made by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, to amend the relevant selection criteria and articles in the National Transport Commission Act according to the order issued by the Supreme Court and instructions by the Attorney General, and to call for tenders again giving priority to permit holders in the Galle Road, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Development of Riverside Park in Matara

The above project is implemented under the Matara Urban Development Project and the joint proposal made by Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, to proceed with the project and to transfer lands which have already been acquired to the UDA and to assign its maintenance to the Matara Urban Council after completion, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between Lakshman Kadiragamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic studies and Nepal Council of World Affairs

The proposal made by Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera, to sign the above MoU for exchanging knowledge, experience and information, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Acquisition of an adjacent land for expansion of the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University

Annually about 150 students are enrolled to the above faculty and governments policy is to increase intake by 5 to 10 percent. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, to obtain funds for development of the land of 3.6 hectares which has already been acquired in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Reconstruction of cultivation wells in dry zone to face drought situations

The proposal made by Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, to implement a programme to reconstruct cultivation wells in 14 districts in the dry zone to continue agricultural activities in a drought situation, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Improvement of Rural tanks cascade systems (Ellangawa)

The proposal made by Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, to improve and develop 21 cascade systems (Ellangawa), which is a good mechanism to fight climate change and 258 rural tanks under these systems in 9 districts in the country through the Agrarian Services Department within the next 5 years, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Making available to individuals/institutions elephants from the Pinnawala Elephant orphanage, national zoological gardens

Maintenance of the present number of 88 elephants in a restricted land area of 30 acres at Pinnawala has become a difficult task. Accordingly, the proposal made by Sustainable Development and Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, to provide some elephants to individuals and religious places under definite conditions, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. Recommendations on issuing orders for providing elephants for perahera, regularizing registration of domesticated elephants and ensuring their protection were also approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Obtaining additional allocations required for salary revision of the Police Service according to 2016 budget proposals

Rs. 3,000 million in 2016 and Rs. 6,000 million in 2017 were allocated to pay a special allowance of 40 percent for police officers and the proposal made by Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake to obtain further additional allocations of Rs. 1,042 million required in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Feasibility study for Hambantota Combined water supply and drainage project covering the harbour and proposed industrial zone

The proposal made by City Planning and Water Supply Minister Rauff Hakeem, to obtain technical and financial assistance of China Heavy Machinery Corporation and to select a contractor through Swiss Challenge Method, for the above project, aiming to cater to the water demand which would increase considerably within the next 05-20 years, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Extension of project time frame of constructing Gokarella Police station

The above project is implemented at a cost of Rs. 95.71 million and about 30 percent of work was completed on December 31, 2016. Accordingly, the proposal made by Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake, to release the balance funds and to extend its time frame to 2017-2018, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Colombo national highways project – stage 1 – improvement of the road section from 2.90 km to 4.20 km and from 5.44 km to 7.70 km on Orugodawatta – Ambathale road (B435)

The proposal made by Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, to award the above contract to Komuthi-HCM Engineering JV as recommended by Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Expanding the scope and renovation of Hadabima Authority

The main tasks of the above Authority is to process and sell agricultural products and a special unit has been established in this regard. The proposal made by Regional Development Minister Sarath Fonseka, to implement recommendations made by the intellectual committee appointed on renovation of the authority to expand its activities across the island, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Award of Contracts for construction of buildings in Universities of Colombo, Rajarata

The Cabinet has already approved selection of contractors through the open competitive method. Accordingly, the proposal made by Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, to award contracts as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Purchase of clothes for providing uniforms for Dhamma School Teachers 2017

Providing uniforms for Dhamma School teachers began in 2004 and the proposal made by Buddha Sasana Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, to directly purchase 72,000 hand-loom sarees from the Department of Textile Industry on the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Cultural programme to be held in line with United Nations International Vesak Day Celebrations

Internal Affairs Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Minister S.B. Navinna, has informed the Cabinet of Ministers, that the above programme will be held on May 12, at BMICH and on May 13 at Nelum Pokuna Theatre.

Proposed Buddhist Centre to be constructed at Kahapola, Piliyandala

The Light of Asia Foundation will bear Rs. 500 million of the expense and its first phase is to be completed by the international Vesak day celebrations. The proposal made by Buddha Sasana Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, to sign an agreement on its implementation between the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Light of Asia Foundation, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

MoU between India and Sri Lanka on cooperation in economic projects

The above proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The Cabinet has noted that separate Cabinet Memorandums will be presented on joint ventures discussing with relevant parties by the relevant ministries.

Gohagoda waste to compost/energy project

The above project has already been approved by the Cabinet and accordingly, the proposal made by Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, to remove residents in the project area by paying compensation and to purchase the produced electricity through CEB, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Amendment to the code of criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) act no. 02 of 2013 (Rights of Detainees – access to legal counsel)

The above bill has been published in gazette of March 3 and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed the Cabinet that further proposed amendments could be included during the Committee Stage. The information presented was considered by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Construction of Vocational Training centres at Panadura and Pahala Yagoda

The above centres are constructed respectively at costs of Rs. 370 million and Rs. 170 million and the proposal made by Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, to obtain required consultancy services from the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Increasing the limit of issuing development bonds under the implementation of Public debt Programme 2017

Considering the low liquidity situation and interest rates of treasury bills and treasury bonds, the proposal made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, to increase the limit of issuing Sri Lanka Development Bonds from USD 1,500 million to USD 3,000, including development bonds to expire this year, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.