Construction of a Sri Lankan traditional Buddhist temple at the White Horse Temple premises of the People’s Republic of China.
It has been proposed to construct a Buddhist shrine related to the traditional features of this country at the White Horse Temple premises of the People’s Republic of China that is respected by the global Buddhist community with the intention of increasing the long term diplomatic relations existing between Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China. The White Horse Temple is to bear the entire cost spent for the proposed constructions while it will be performed under the supervision of the subject Ministry of Buddha Sasana. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Prime Minister as the Minister of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs signing a memorandum of understanding between the White Horse Temple premises of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs.
Revision of the periods of holding G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) and G. C. E. (Advanced Level) Examinations and rendering the opportunities for obtaining first degree qualification within a minimum time frame.
Due to the extended period spent for the issuing of examination results for the G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) and inauguration of G.C.E. (Advanced Level) classes as well as the time spent for the selection of students for the State Universities, the ages of students when they complete school education and completing the University education their ages are 19, 20 and 25 and 26 years respectively as observed. The structural inconsistencies in these examination systems and the unnecessary administrative delays related to technical procedures have led to unnecessary delays in entering the employment market completing the higher education. This is apparent to have been a disadvantage to them personally and to the development of the country as a whole.
Therefore, the resolution tabled by the Minister of Education for taking actions as follows to prevent the above situation in the future has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
- Restructuring the syllabus of grades 10 and 11 for only one year and nine months.
- Conducting both G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) and G. C. E. (Advanced Level) Examinations in the months of August and December respectively and issuance of their results within 03 months each so that the total period of 45 months at present can be reduced 32 months whereas providing required provisions for the same.
- Selection of students for the Universities based on the z score without waiting until the re- correction process G. C. E. (Advanced Level) Examination is concluded.
- If there are students whose results be upgraded across re-correction process, they should be awarded new marginal Z scores so that they would be able to undergo the relevant degree courses and apply this methodology with effect from 2020 Advanced Level.
Entering into a MoU between the Open University and the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Sciences Okayama University of Japan.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution submitted by the Minister of Education for signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Open University of Sri Lanka and the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science Okayama University of Japan with the objective of promoting and organizing exchange programmes of students and faculties as well as the staffs, solidarity researches, organizing consultancy and cultural programmes as well as exchanging research information.
Nomination of a road security week for drawing special attention of society on minimising motor accidents.
Around 8 to 10 lives are lost per day due to motor accidents at present while most of them are males. Due to this situation, their dependents fall helpless and there is an increasing trend of this number every year. Fatal accidents experienced last year amounted to 2023 while 2114 individuals died from them. 963 out of the amount are due to motor bicycle accidents and 987 individuals died due to them. Also, around 500 deaths are reported annually from three wheel and lorry accidents. Considering all these facts, the National Council on Road Safety has paid their attention on implementing a road safety week from November 21 which is the international day for commemorating the victims of road accidents and to take necessary actions to make aware the private institutions, school children, drivers and the public in order to minimising motor accidents. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers granted their approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Transport for declaration of a national week on road safety with effect from the Sunday November 21, 2021 and conducing such a week in November annually in the future.
Entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Great Britain and Northern Ireland of the United Kingdom on research related to micro plastics.
Sri Lanka has inaugurated a number of programmes on the management of micro plastics since its ill effects run across various fields such as the Health, Agriculture and Tourism.Both the Great Britain and the Northern Ireland of the United Kingdom has given their consent for the related research activities and it may lead to assistance for enhancing the local research capacity on micro plastics. It has been proposed to enter into a memorandum of understanding to be effective for two years while draft memorandum of understanding has gained concurrence of the relevant Ministries and the Department of Attorney General. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment for entering into that agreement and to appoint an inter-institutional committee comprised of the representatives of the institutions under the Ministries coming, under the purview of the subject area and the institutions under those Ministries aiming the management of plastics while escalating the research capacity of Sri Lanka.
Entering into a MoU between Sri Lanka Tourist and Hotel Management Institute and EHL Consultancy Services Company in New Delhi, India.
Sri Lanka Tourist and Hotel Management Institute has been established in 1966 to train youth in the hospitality trade and tourism industry. Schools of the entity are situated in Anuradhapura, Bandarawela, Pallekelle, Koggala, Rathnapura, Kurunegala, Jaffna and Pasikudah. Although the private sector training schools in the sector has acquired tremendous development the image of the Sri Lanka Tourism and Hotel Management Institute has deteriorated. It has been planned to obtain the assistance of EHLConsultancy Company in New Delhi, India , with the mediation of the Embassy of Switzerland in Sri Lanka to carry out an analytical study on the quality of the educational programmes of that establishment so that the institution can be re-structured and enhanced its image once again. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal submitted by the Tourism Minister to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between EHL Consultancy Company and the Government of Sri Lanka to obtain consultancy services from that company.
Assignment of Smart Sri Lanka Programme Activities to the Department of Manpower and Employment
Smart Sri Lanka was established under the then Office of the President upon cabinet approval with a view of coordinating and monitoring vocational guidance from the national level to the regional level, with the aim of implementing it as a national program under a new approach using new technology. This institution is now under the purview of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Cabinet of Ministers agreed with the steps taken by the Minister of Youth and Sports to transfer this institution to the Department of Manpower and Employment and continue its activities.
Establishment of 500 Outdoor Exercise and Fitness Centers using Containers (Container based Fit Gym) in Selected Places.
Under the theme “Let’s Win”, we plan to build 500 outdoor gymnasiums island wide using containers with the aim of inculcating an active lifestyle in the youth and providing some catalyst for progress in the field of sports. The estimated cost of this project is Rs. 625 million. The project will benefit nearly 100,000 members of the public and about 5,000 athletes a year. It is expected to delegate the responsibility of running these centers to youth clubs and sports clubs at the local level and to employ at least one coach. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports to implement the proposed project in 2021-2022 periods and to construct 250 outdoor gymnasiums using containers at selected locations island wide by 2021.
Procurement for the supply of human immunoglobin BP 5 - 6 grams vials 112,500 for intra- cellular use.
International competitive bids have been invited for the procurement of this medical drug that is utilized for treatment for the patients with immunity deficiencies. The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Health for awarding the procurement of this drug to a number of United States $ 13.10 to M/s Reliance Life Science (Pvt.) Ltd, India in pursuance of the recommendation of the Standing Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Procurement for supplying 840,000 syringes of prefilled Enoxaparin Sodium vaccines 4000 IU, 0.4mm.
International competitive bids are called to procurement for supplying Enoxaparin Sodium medicine which uses for treatments of heart patients. Accordingly, the proposal submitted by the Minister of Health to award the procurement for supplying 840,000 syringes of prefilled Enoxaparin Sodium vaccines 4000 IU, 0.4mm for M/s Slim Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd of Sri Lanka at a total sum of Rs.541.80 Million, as recommended by the Standing Committee on Procurement appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
A National Regulatory Framework for the vessels that engage in commercial activities in territorial waters.
It has been identified that the need of a National Regulatory Framework for the vessels that engage in commercial activities in the territorial waters due to the increase of transportation of passengers and freight by ships in line with the growth of the activities related to the tourism industry. Accordingly, the Export Development Board has commenced a project of making such a regulatory framework with the collaboration of the previous Ministry of Development strategies and International Trade and the Ministry of Naval and the assistance of the Lloyd Register Asia Institute has been taken for the said task. As per it has been drafted 04 regulations by discussing with all relevant parties. According to the provisions in the No.52 Merchant shipping Act of 1971, the power to declare of the provisions has been vested with the Minister In charge. Accordingly, The proposal made by the Minister of Ports and Shipping, to obtain the consent of the legal draftsman for the drafted regulations and to publish in the Government Gazette and thereafter submit to the Parliament, was approved by the Cabinet.
Submitting of the Annual Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for 2020 to Parliament.
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka should submit a report to the Finance Minister within four months of the commencement of a year, containing information on the economic situation, situation of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the policies and actions taken by the Monetary Board during the year. Accordingly, the Annual Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2020 was submitted to the Finance Minister on April 30. As per the provisions of the Monetary Act, the annual report must be submitted to Parliament by the Finance Minister within fourteen days of its submission. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Prime Minister as the Finance Minister to table the Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in Parliament, was approved by Cabinet.
Increasing PCR Capacity during the COVID-19 Third Wave.
With the discovery of the new variant of COVID, the demand for PCR tests in government laboratories has increased to around 20,000 per day and is showing a rising trend further. Therefore, the Cabinet approved the proposal made by the Health Minister to expedite the purchase of the testing kits and other equipment required to carry out the PCR tests as required.
