Enforcement of bilateral and multilateral agreements

It was decided in the Cabinet meeting held on May 22, 2023, that after entering into bilateral and multilateral agreements that are determined to be essential for national development, laws should be enacted to prevent deviation from those agreements without the consent of the relevant parties. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the President to advice the legal draftsman to prepare a Bill based on the preliminary draft prepared accordingly.

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Submission of regulations issued under the Import and Export (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969 for the approval of Parliament

Concurrence of the relevant parties have been rendered at the discussion held with them to lift the import limitations imposed in relevance to goods for which imports have been suspended temporarily by the Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 02 of 2023 that has been imposed for limiting import by sustaining the limitation of import for passenger vehicles and cars and other selected goods.

Providing provisions for such, the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2341/38 dated July 20, 2023 containing Import and Export (Control) regulations No. 11 of 2023 has been published. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies to submit the said regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence subject to the provisions of Import and Export (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969.

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Integrated strategic communication programme to promote SL’s national ambitions and international image

The need has been recognized to implement a strategic communication programme in order to consciously manage a correct foreign policy by strengthening international relations and to raise Sri Lanka’s international image to face global and regional challenges.

Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the combined proposal presented by the Mass Media Minister and Foreign Minister to implement a joint communication programme by the Mass Media Ministry and the Foreign Ministry to promote Sri Lanka’s national ambitions and international image.

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Assigning the Govt. Rest House in Kataragama to the Kiriwehera Rajamaha Vihara

The Government Rest House building built under the Kataragama Pooja Bhoomi Planning Scheme has been assigned to the Kiriwehera Raja Maha Vihara for maintenance and operation for a period of five years and after the expiry of that period, the rest house has been handed over to the National Physical Planning Department. The Chief Incumbent of Kataragama Rajamaha Viharaya has requested that the said rest house building be given back to Kiriwehera Rajamaha Viharaya. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by the Minister of Urban Development and Housing to assign the said rest house building to the Kiriwehera Rajamaha Vihara subject to the settlement of the bills for the maintenance of the building, repair work, and related contractual services.

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Guidelines prepared under the provisions to the Office of Missing Persons Act

According to the provisions of Section 11(c) of the Office on Missing Persons (Establishment, Administration and Discharge of Functions) Act No. 14 of 2016, relevant rules and guidelines should be issued in advance, including the policies to be followed in relation to the implementation and performance of the powers, functions and duties of that office.

The relevant guidelines have been prepared taking into consideration the observations and recommendations given by the Attorney General. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the guidelines presented by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to the Cabinet.

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Amendments to Code of Civil Procedure (101 Authority) (Pre-Trial Conferences)

Cabinet approval has been granted on September 27, 2021 to amend the Code of Civil Procedure so as to take appropriate remedies for the problems and challenges that have arisen after the implementation of the new provisions related to pre-trial proceedings introduced by the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2017 and to speed up legal proceedings and reduce the time taken to render judgments. The respective revised Bill has been prepared by the Legal Draftsman and the Auditor General’s clearance also has been given for the same. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, to publish the said Bill in the Government Gazette and to submit for the Parliamentary approval consequently

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Award contract for the supply of aviation fuel for SriLankan at Doha, Kuwait

The existing contracts for the supply of aviation fuel for SriLankan Airlines Limited at Doha Hamad International Airport and Kuwait International Airport will expire on October 31, 2023. Bids were invited in accordance with Government procurement guidelines from Qatar Fuel Company and Kuwait Aviation Fueling Company (KAFCO), the only aviation fuel suppliers at each airport. As such, in accordance with the recommendation of the Cabinet appointed standing procurement committee, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation to award the contracts for the supply of aviation fuel to SriLankan Airlines’ aircraft for a period of 24 months to fuel suppliers at Hamad International Airport and Kuwait International Airport as a direct contract.

In the event of any inconsistency between the English translations of this document, the Sinhala text shall prevail.

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Construction of power line on 33 kilowatt double circuit zebra towers from Kerawalapitya grid substation to Nugape Junction

The Cabinet of Ministers had given approval on December 19, 2022, to authorize the Environment Minister to issue a gazette notification amending the existing Extraordinary Gazette notification No. 1466/26 dated October 13, 2006, to declare the construction of a power line on 33 kilowatt double circuit zebra towers from the Kerawalapitya grid substation to the Nugape Junction along the Mudianse Canal in the Muthurajawela Environmental Protection Area, as an authorized activity.

The Central Environment Authority has informed the Ceylon Electricity Board that instead of constructing the power line along the Mudiyanse Canal, it may grant the necessary approval for the construction along the boundary of the environmental protection area. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by the Power and Energy Minister to authorize the Environment Minister to amend the Extraordinary Gazette Notification 1466/26 dated October 13, 2006 and to issue a new Gazette Notification through the Central Environment Authority, declaring the work as a permitted activity so that the power line can be constructed along the proposed alternative route.