Large-scale development projects at end of first quarter, 2021
While 284 large–scale development projects are implemented under 41 Ministries at a cost of Rs. 1 billion, Rs. 692.5 billion have been allocated for 2021 in this regard. Of them, 53 projects are pioneer development targets such as “Drinking Water for All” and “Development of road network of 100,000 kms”. The Cabinet considered the report by the Prime Minister as the Finance Minister on the progress of these projects in the first quarter of 2021. The necessity of immediately settling the procedural and legal issues of land acquisition that directly affect the projects along with the requirement of the relevant entities to work together to accomplish the investment targets were discussed.
UNESCO Inter–State Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritages 16th Session from December 13 to 18
While acting as a stakeholder in the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritages, Sri Lanka is acting as a member of its Inter – State Committee at present. Sri Lanka will host the 16th session/conference of that inter – state committee in Colombo from December 13 to 18. A diplomatic group of 30 individuals from the UNESCO Secretariat will accompany the UNESCO Director General, while representatives from 195 member States and Diplomatic Missions will be present - approximately 1,000 overseas representations. The Cabinet granted approval to the resolution by the Education Minister for further action as per the work plan for hosting the session/conference.
Upgrading selected district base hospitals being administered by Provincial Councils under Health Ministry
The Government will upgrade one hospital in each with medical treatment, theatres and laboratories. Matale, Nawalapitiya, Embilipitiya, Avissawella, Gampaha, Mannar, Vavniya, Killinochchi and Mullithivu Hospitals being governed by the Provincial Councils and coming under the category of Tertiary Health Services Institutions have been identified to be taken under the Health Ministry for enhancing service supply, equality, efficiency and administrative activities. The Cabinet seconded the proposal by the Health Minister in this regard.
Discussions on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh act as member countries of the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA), South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), Global System of trade Preference (GSTP), Asia – Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). However, trade movements between the two States lies at a minimum level despite special provisions under the accords.
During the diplomatic tour of the Prime Minister in Bangladesh in last March, the leaders of the two member States had agreed upon the requirement of entering into a free trade accord for strengthening economic relationships between the two countries. It has been agreed upon looking into the possibility of entering into a Preferential Trade Agreement with a short list of goods as the initial step. The Cabinet agreed the proposal by the Minister for holding discussions with the relevant authorities of that country fpr entering into a agreement with Bangladesh.
Amending Civil Procedure Code
It has been identified the requirement of amending the provisions depicted in the Chapter XVI of Civil Procedure Code for formalising the appointment and supervision of sworn translators and supervise them and eliminate the ambiguity of the provisions.
The Cabinet granted approval to the resolution by the Justice Minister for amending the sections 118, 119, and 120 of the Chapter XVI of the Civil Procedure Code and direct the Legal Draftsman to formulate draft bills in this regard.
Courts of First Instance
It has been recognized that a planned, target access with holistic and broad reformation is required to the judiciary to pay attention on the issues causing delay of law and activate and empower the process since the delay of law has reached a decisive stage.
The Justice Minister has appointed a committee chaired by Justice of the Appeal Court Dr. Ruwan Fernando to study the establishment of prior case trial and Courts of First Instance. The Cabinet granted approval to the resolution by the Justice Minister for considering the recommendations by the Committee.
• Amendment of Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 for enabling establishment of Courts of First Instance.
• Formulation of a Draft Bill to enable introduction of new laws to furnish provisions for the special procedure related to Courts of First Instance.
Mannar Wind Power Plant
Cabinet approval was granted on January 29, 2019 to add 60 MW wind power capacity to five Grid Substations in Trincomalee, Mannar, Madampe, Bolawatta and Kappalturai. International Competitive Bids have been invited to construct a Wind Power Plant for the Mannar Grid Substation and its connection to the Transmission Network. The Power and Energy Minister proposed to award the contract of the Wind Power Plant to the Hiruras Power on the Construction Ownership, for 20-year operation basis as recommended by the Cabinet appointed Negotiation Committee and its connection to the Transmission Network of the Mannar Grid Sub Station. The proposal was approved by the Cabinet.
Apparels for Government Institutes from provincial manufacturers
Less quality imports and the production cost increase because of the importation of 70 per cent of production materials have been identified as the main issues that the local manufacturers in the Garment and Local Apparel Industry undergo now.
The Cabinet, therefore, approved the proposal by the Industry Minister as recommended by the Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products State Minister to buy batik, handloom and local apparel for the Government Institutes in each Province from provincial manufacturers to resolve the issues and to make provisions to buy the apparel needs from an another province in case of inability to fulfill the need by its manufacturers.
Contract to import diesel for eight months from June 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022
Bids are called from the registered suppliers of the Lanka Petroleum Corporation (LPC) for the long term contract to import 1,137,500 barrels of Diesel (Maximum sulfur percentage 0.05) and 262,500 barrels of Diesel (Maximum Sulfur percentage 0.001) for eight months from June 1, 2021 to January 3, 2022. The proposal by the Energy Minister to award the contract to the M/s Petrochina International (Singapore) (Pvt.) Limited as recommended by the Special Standard Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet was approved by the Cabinet.
Long-term contract to import Murban Crude Oil
Bids are called from the registered suppliers of the Lanka Petroleum Corporation for the long term contract to import Murban Crude Oil for nine months from June 1, 2021 to February 28, 2022. The Cabinet approved the proposal by the Energy Minister to award the contract for the M/s Conscio Limited, Nigeria as recommended by the Special Standard Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet.
MRI (I.5T) Scanner Machine for Maharagama Apeksha Hospital
Local competitive bids are called to supply, install, operate and repair a MRI (I.5T) Scanner Machine for the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital. The Cabinet approved the proposal by the Health Minister to award the contract for the M/s Technomedics International (Pvt.) Limited as recommended by the Special Standard Procurement Committee and the recommendation by the Procurement Appeal Board appointed by the Cabinet.
Annual Report of Finance Ministry-2020 (Final Budget Statement Report) – (Subject Number 30)
As per Section 13 of the Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act No. 3 of 2003, the Annual Report (Final Budget Report) should be submitted by the Finance Minister to Parliament and the public in five months subsequently to the end of the financial year. The Annual Report -2020 has been published on May 31, 2021. The report provides an analysis of macroeconomic and socio-economic indices by covering the sectors as the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic and the measures taken to mitigate its impact on economic variables, including financial trends, economic development by 2020, world economic development and the real sector, domestic demand and supply, investment savings, foreign and monetary sector developments and inflation. Moreover, the report contents a detailed analysis on the final budget statement including the Government revenue and expenditure, cash flow management, deficit financing and the debt. The Cabinet, therefore, approved the proposal by the Prime Minister as the Finance Minister to submit the annual report to Parliament.
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