01. Amendments to the Office on Missing Persons (Establishment, Administration and discharge of functions) Act No 14 of 2016 (Document No – 05)
The above act was passed in parliament on 23 August 2016. Proposals have been made to repeal its paragraph (a) of article 11 that authorizes the said office to enter into agreements with an individual or an organization in performing its tasks. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to amend the said act, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
02. Establishment of a Neonatal and Obstetrics Reference centre in De Soyza Maternity Hospital (Document No – 07)
It has been planned to provide infrastructure, equipment and staff to De Soyza Maternity Hospital on the above purpose. It is expected to make it the prominent child care centre in Sri Lanka. The proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to enter into agreements with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank of France and Hatton National Bank of Sri Lanka for obtaining funds on the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
03. Obtaining a project planning advance for basic activities of Northern Provincial Sustainable Fisheries Development Project (Document No – 08)
The cabinet has already approved the implementation of the above project covering coastal regions of Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi Districts with the view of improving the income of fisheries community. It will benefit about 40,000 families in Northern Province. The proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to obtain an advance of USD 1.3 million from the Asian Development Bank, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
04. Construction of rural bridges (Document No – 09)
The government has planned to improve the access of rural communities to market, education and health facilities through developing transport connectivity by constructing 4,000 bridges. Governments of Netherland, Belgium and Austria have agreed to provide funds in this regard and the British High Commission in Sri Lanka has informed that direct financial facilities for 85% of the contract value could be granted from the Treasury of Britain to UK suppliers recognized in implementing the project. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to authorize the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government to call for quotations including financial proposals from companies engaged in bridge constructions for implementing a Rural Bridges Project with an estimated value of GBP 50 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
05. Amending cooperation agreements with United States of America (Document No – 10)
USA has agreed to increase the financial contribution which was agreed to provide according to the agreements signed in 2011 with the Government of USA for implementing two programmes i.e. 'Strengthened Partnership for Domestic Reform & Social Integration' and 'Increased Equitable Economic Growth and Public Financial Management'. Accordingly, the information presented by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, that the relevant amendments of the said agreements have been signed, was considered by the Cabinet of Ministers.
06. Modernization of the Agricultural sector in Sri Lanka and strengthening of reconciliation process in Sri Lanka (Document No – 11)
European Union has agreed to provide funds of 30 million Euros and 14.5 million Euros respectively for 'Support to the Modernization of the Agricultural Sector in Sri Lanka' and 'Strengthening Reconciliation Process in Sri Lanka' and Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to enter into relevant financial agreements in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
07. Strengthening of planters for improving living status through floriculture (Document No – 12)
Floriculture sector could be used in improving self-employment opportunities for youth and women in large scale. Sri Lanka has earned an export income of more than USD 18 million in 2015 from this sector. The Department of National Botanic Gardens is engaged in promoting floriculture in district level and 173 'Suwahas Mal Societies' have been formed in 17 districts. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, to implement a project for developing this sector within the five years of 2017-2021 at a cost of Rs. 228.5 million aiming at strengthening planters especially women, by providing required infrastructure, technical information, quality planting material, training and sales assistance, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
08. Accelerating Higher Education Expansion And development project (Document No – 14)
The Sri Lankan higher education field should be developed to suit international standard for a modern and global knowledge oriented economy. Priority should be given to improve quality of academic programmes, job oriented skills of students, teaching and learning methods, and evaluation methods. Attention should also be paid on administration and management, investment and financing as well as non government higher education sector. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Higher Education and Highways, to implement the AHEAD project under the assistance of the World Bank within a period of 6 years, for resolving issues in this sector, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
09. Implementation of a pilot project for laundering in Sri Lankan Hospitals (Document No – 17)
It is essential to wash all dirty clothes properly in hospitals which are used by staff and patients. The process is currently being done by private sector and it is not satisfactory. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, to implement a project to construct and maintain a plant for laundering in hospitals in the Western Province, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
10. Transfer the land which the Nunnery is located in wedamulla area in Kelaniya (Document No – 22)
A block of land belongs to Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation was allocated to Sudharma Dasa Sil Aramaya in Wedamulla, Kelaniya and the adjacent land which a boo tree is planed is also enjoyed by the monastery. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, to grant the lawful ownership of the said land of 7.56 perches to the monastery, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
11. Mahaweli left bank lower basin development project (Document No – 25)
The proposal made by Hon. Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, to implement the above project at an estimated cost of Rs. 6,250 million, with the view of providing irrigation water for 4000 acres of land in both Yala and Maha seasons in Kinniya and Kantale Divisional Secretary's Divisions in Trincomalee District and Medirigiriya Divisional Secretary's Division in Polonnaruwa District, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
12. Amendments to People's Bank Act no. 29 of 1961 (Document No – 26)
The proposal made by Hon. Kabir Hashim, Minister of Public Enterprise Development, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to amend the articles 12, 20, 21 and 43 of the People's Bank Act No. 29 of 1961 for further strengthening financial stability and productivity of operations, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
13. Training of construction equipment machinery (Document No – 29)
The requirement of technicians for maintaining and repairing equipments used in large scale construction projects is increasing gradually and such trained technicians may get many employment opportunities in local and foreign job market. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Minister of Housing and Construction, to conduct a three year fulltime course (NVQ 4) for training of such technicians in Construction Equipment Training Centre which is under the purview of the Ministry of Housing and Construction was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
14. Development of Yacht marina in Gall Port (Document No – 30)
The proposal made by Hon. Arjuna Ranatunga, Minister of Ports and Shipping, to call for proposals following the Swiss Challenge method as recommended by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management, for finding a suitable investor for developing a yacht marina in Galle Port, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
15. Administration of temporary shelters for providing protection for women victims of violence (Document No – 31)
Government is bound to maintain such centres for providing legal assistance, counselling, or other services as well as temporary accommodation. Such centres have been constructed in Jaffna, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu and Ratnapura Districts but their administration has not yet been started due to lack of required resource persons. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Chandrani Bandara, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, to maintain the centres in above mentioned districts with the help of experienced NGOs and provide the assistance of the government to such centres maintained by NGOs in Colombo and Matara, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. 08th meeting of saarc law and order (interior/home) ministers proceed by 8th meeting of saarc law and order (interior/home) secretaries and the 8th meeting of saarc immigration authorities (Document No – 32)
The proposal made by Hon. Sagala Ratnayake, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development, to hold the above meetings in Sri Lanka and to host those events, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
17. Procurement of consultancy services for renovation of railway track from Maho to Omanthai (Document No – 34)
The proposal made by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, to award the above contract as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
18. Implementation of the phase two of Bandaranaike international airport development project – construction of remote apron and taxiways (Document No – 35)
BIA has handled 9.5 million passengers in 2016 and it has been forecasted that it will increase to 14.5 in 2020. Accordingly the above project is implemented to increase the capacity of the airport to 15 million per year with loan assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, to award the above contract as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
19. Award of contract for providing consultancy services for the port access elevated highway project (Document No – 36)
The proposal made by Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Higher Education and Highways, to award the above contract as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Consultant Procurement Committee, for the implementation of the above project which is funded by the Asian Development Bank, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
20. Jaffna – Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation project – amendment of cost of consultancy services (Document No – 37)
The above project which has been commenced in 2011 to facilitate resettlement activities and upgrade living standards of people living in Jaffna Peninsula under the assistance of Asian Development Bank will provide safe drinking water for about 300,000 beneficiaries in the District. The proposal made by Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Minister of City Planning and Water Supply, to amend the cost of contract considering changes in expenditure which are outside the control of contractor, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
21. Purchase of 1,250,000 tablets of Deferasirox tablets 400 mg (Document No – 38)
The proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, to award the above tender for purchasing of 1,250,000 400mg tablets of the above drug as recommended by the Procurement Appeal Board, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
22. Procurement of 3,750 vials of Bevacizumab injection 100 mg / 4ml vial used for cancer treatments (Document No – 40)
The proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, to award the above tender as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
23. Establishment of an Industrial and techno development super zone at Raigama, Kalutara (Document No – 41)
Cabinet has already approved the establishment of the above zone and the proposal made by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, to award the contract of infrastructure development in the area to the government owned Central Engineering Services Ltd, deviating from the normal procurement procedure, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
24. Implementation of disaster recovery solution for data centre at Ceylon Petroleum Storage terminals limited (Document No – 44)
The proposal made by Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, to award the above contract as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, to uninterrupted operation of the data system of CPSTL, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
25. Framework agreement on the tax and customs regime applicable by the partner country to projects funded from the General budget of the European Union (Document No – 46)
EU has provided to date grants of more than USD 220 and many humanitarian aids to Sri Lanka and it has agreed to provide 210 million Euro (about 34 billion rupees) for the period of 2014-2020 and 72 million Euro have already been allocated to 03 projects. Under the guidelines of EU their grants should not be used in paying custom duties, taxes and other fiscal levies by the recipient government. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to enter into the above framework agreement with the EU in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
26. Waiving off of special commodity levy on the importation of rice (Document No – 48)
The proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, to present the Gazette Extraordinary no. 2003/43 dated 27-01-2017 in parliament for approval which is issued under the Special Commodity Levi Act No. 48 of 2007 for reducing the special commodity levy of Rs. 15/- on imported rice to Rs. 05/- with effect from 28 January 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
27. Construction of a Warehouse Complex at Medirigiriya in Polonnaruwa District (Document No – 49)
Cabinet has already approved construction of 03 warehouse complexes in Kilinochchi, Ratnapura and Polonnaruwa Districts for providing storing facilities for farmers and two warehouses in Ratnapura and Kilinochchi are being constructed. The proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, to award the contract for construction of the Warehouse Complex of about 28,500 square feet as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
28. Revising the special Allowance for principals (Document No – 51.26)
Principals play an important role in success of a certain school and accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Minister of Education, to increase the special allowance paid to Principals serving in 10,162 National and Provincial Schools in the country considering their complex and responsible service, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
29. Establishment of the Teacher Advisors' Service (Document No – 51.27)
The Post of Teacher Advisor is implemented in Sri Lankan school system since 1962 and they make a valuable contribution in securing the quality of education. The proposal made by Hon. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Minister of Education, to establish a new service as Sri Lanka Teacher Advisors' Service and to absorb existing Teacher Advisors to the new service, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
30. Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka and Australia on cooperation of sports (Document No – 53)
The proposal made by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Sports, to sign a MoU between the Government of Sri Lanka and Government of Australia for strengthening the cooperation in sports field, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
