Decisions taken at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 08.08.2022
01. Entering into a Memorandum of Understanding between the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (UNESCO - ICHEI) and the Ministry of Education of the Government of Sri Lanka.
The International Centre for Higher Education Innovation implemented under the sponsorship of UNESCO has agreed to provide training across online methodology for enhancing the capacity of staff of technical and vocational education and training institutions in the state sector of this country. Under this facility, it has been agreed to facilitate a platform to access the sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, data analysis, mechanical vision, mechanical learning, digital graphic designing and digital enterprises. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal submitted by the Minister of Education in order to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two parties to implement the said programme.
02. Introduction of cost-based water charges.
It has been recognized that a revision of charges to ensure the financial stability of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board and the supply of water services to the public continuously and without any disturbance is required. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Water Supply in order to revise the water charges and sewage charges obtained at present so that the recurrent monitoring cost and the capital loan services responsibility of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board is covered.
03. Allocating plots of land from regional industrial zones in which infrastructure facilities were developed for the establishment of industries.
The Ministry of Industries implements the ‘Regional Industrial Zones Development Programme’ with the aim of promoting the industries at a regional level. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Industries in order to allocate plots of land from 13 industrial zones for 25 investors selected under the said programme.
04. Programme to provide Japanese language competency at the school level.
In terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Japan, Sri Lankans are eligible to apply for employment as technical in-service trainees and employment in 14 sectors under the programme with special skills. Competency in the Japanese language is an essential qualification for the purpose and should be qualified precisely from the examinations conducted in several stages. It has been planned to recruit approximately 345,000 labourers for employment in Japan for the next 05 years under the special skills employment programme whereas Japan has signed agreements with seven (07) countries including Sri Lanka for this purpose.
Considering the above circumstances, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment in order to inaugurate the teaching of Japanese language and English language under the technical subject stream implemented in the schools and to develop soft skills in the sectors of nursing, hospitality, building cleaning, agricultural activities, motor mechanism or electric and electronic mechanism etc, aiming at the employment opportunities in Japan.
05. Awarding contract for aviation insurance coverage for Sri Lanka Airlines
Sri Lankan Aviation Company Limited obtain insurance services under 04 categories of insurance coverages for their air crafts. Limited national competitive bids have been called from general insurance companies registered under the Sri Lanka Insurance Regulation Commission for those 04 categories of insurance coverages. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by His Excellency the President as the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation to award the relevant contract to Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation as per the recommendation of the Standing Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers.
06. Provision of funds for the upcoming phases of the projects iROAD 1 and iROAD 2
implemented under the Consolidated Highways Investment Programme financed by the
Asian Development Bank
140 civil work contracts have been awarded for upgrading and maintenance of 6,250 kilometers of rural roads and 750 kilometers of national highways by iROAD 1 and iROAD 2 projects financed by the Asian Development Bank. Approximately 4,800 kilometers of rural roads and 300 kilometers of national highways have been completed by now. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport and Highways to hold discussions and enter into negotiations as well as take future actions with the Asian Development Bank in relation to obtaining USD 243 million for phase 5 of iROAD 1 program and USD 200 million for phase 4 of iROAD 2 program to enable implementation of project activities of the said projects without disturbance.
07. Submission of published gazette notifications for the approval of the Parliament.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the submission of a gazette notification published in terms of the value added tax act No. 14 of 2002, two (02) gazette notifications including rules published under the excise ordinance (Chapter 52) and an order published under the Finance Act No. 25 of 2003 by the Hon. President as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies for the approval of the Parliament.
08. Amendment of the Motor Traffic Act to include provisions to enable registration of electric Three Wheelers.
Several parties have requested an opportunity to utilize electric Tuk Tuks in order to popularize vehicles run with electric power instead of utilizing fossil fuel within Sri Lanka. However, the motor traffic act needs to be amended since no required provisions are available in the present act. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution submitted by the Minister of Transport and Highways to take necessary measures to amend the current motor traffic act including the relevant amendments to enable the registration of electric Three Wheeled Vehicles.
09. Amendment of Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act No.19 of 1954
Many business institutions such as Knowledge Process Outsourcing institutions, Business Process Outsourcing institutions, Back Office and ICT enabling Services have emerged in the country around major cities. According to the nature of those institutions, the employees working there have to work according to the time of other countries. However, according to the Act, women can be employed after 6:00 PM only in a limited number of employments. Therefore, it has been identified that the existing restrictive legal provisions on night work of women should be amended. Accordingly, the cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment to take necessary steps to amend the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act No.19 of 1954.
10. Formation of Cabinet Sub Committees.
It has been recognized that it is appropriate to establish Cabinet Sub Committees enabling a time frame for policy decisions to be made during cabinet meetings and to make recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the subjects that need to be studied and decided upon in depth of legal and other matters. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposals presented by Hon. President to establish the Cabinet Subcommittee on Public Expenditure Management chaired by the President in order to submit policy recommendations to the Cabinet on the proposals related to public expenditure such as the initiation of new projects and procurement activities and to establish the Cabinet Subcommittee on Institutional Affairs chaired by the prime Minister to study matters related to institutional affairs such as appointments, promotions, transfers and disciplinary actions in the public service and submit policy study matters related to public service appointments, promotions, transfers and disciplinary actions and make policy recommendations to the Cabinet.
11. Establishment of Cabinet Sub Committee on Cost of Living and establishment of Food
Security Committee.
The cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon. President to establish the Cabinet sub-committee on Cost of Living to provide recommendations on policy and practical solutions necessary to maintain the cost of living stable by ensuring that food and other essential materials are supplied to the market without shortage and to establish Food Security Committee. to assist the work of the sub-committee on trade and commerce and to form the committee under the chairmanship of the Minister of Food Safety.
12. Implementation of Food Security and Livelihood Restoration Emergency Assistance Project
The Project " Food Security and Livelihood Restoration Emergency Assistance Project" is planned to be implemented with the aim of protecting the food security and livelihoods of the poor and in disaster. In addition, the Japan Fund for a Prosperous and Resilient Asia and Pacific Region has agreed to provide a 3 million USD grant through the Asian Development Bank to finance the project activities. Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon. president in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies to conduct negotiation discussions with the Asian Development Bank and enter into agreements.
13. Price Revised for domestic type gas
The cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by H.E. the president in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies to immediately implement a cost- representative price formula on the 5th day of every month for the purpose of ensuring continuous supply of gas and based on the said price formula to revise domestic gas prices.
14. Revision of Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Act No.33 of 2002
On April 25, 2022, the Cabinet approved the amendment of the Petroleum Products Act No. 33 of 2002 to enable other competing parties to be granted licenses for the import of petroleum products in order to ensure the continuous supply of petroleum products due to the current severe foreign exchange deficit. Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the bill prepared by the legal draftsman accordingly. The cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Power and Energy to publish this bill in the Govt. gazette and submit for parliament consequently.
