Signing of a cooperation framework between Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) and the International Fair Trade Networks (IFTN) was discussed. IFTN is a global network that equitably distributes benefits through standards, certification, producer support programmes and counselling.

A number of organizations engaged in international trade work as partners in that International Fair Trade Network. This institute has the capacity to guide on policies supporting ‘Fair Trade’ and ‘Trade Justice’ in the European Union and to interact and maintain a continuous dialogue with European Union institutions. The SLEDB has proposed to formulate an action plan together with the partners of the IFTN to promote the ‘Fair Trade Concept’ in Sri Lanka. Following which, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotion to sign a cooperation framework with the aim of enhancing cooperation between the IFTN and Sri Lanka.

Cabinet nod obtained for Parliamentary concurrence on CPC Orders No. 3 of 2023

The President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotion has published the Colombo Port City Orders No. 3 of 2023 (Enterprises with Strategic Value – Guidelines for releasing or encouraging to award for customs – free enterprises) under the provisions of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021 by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2355/30 dated 25.10.2023. The Cabinet granted approval to the proposal furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotions to submit the said orders to the Parliament for its concurrence.

Cabinet ok’s signing of higher education cooperation pact between GoSL and Govt of Nepal

It has been proposed to enter into an agreement for cooperation in the field of higher education between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Nepal, with the aim of strengthening and expanding the mutual cooperation in the field of higher education and further developing the relations between the higher education institutions of the two countries.

This agreement will lead to further progress in the field of higher education in Sri Lanka and will enable the exchange of training programmes between the two countries as well as curricula and scientific and educational methods in the system of higher education. Furthermore, both parties will have the opportunity to participate in higher education conferences and seminars held by both countries. Accordingly, the proposal presented by the Minister of Education to sign the proposed agreement between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Nepal was approved by the Cabinet.

Enactment of SAQRF in Sri Lanka

In the year 2014, the 18th meeting of SAARC leaders held in Kathmandu, Nepal, focused on expanding cooperation among regional countries and this provided the basic foundation for the emergence of the South Asian Qualification Reference Framework (SAQRF). As a result, with the intervention of the World Labour Organization, the drafting of the SAQRF to identify skills in the education sector as well as in the workforce has been initiated in 2020.

Sri Lanka has contributed to the relevant technical committee meetings and has expressed its agreement for the SAQRF drafted by the ministries in charge of education of the member countries including Sri Lanka. This SAQRF, which is implemented as a link to the qualification frameworks of other countries in the region, does not create any legal obligation for the qualification frameworks of each member country.

The recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the clearance of the Attorney General have been given regarding the enactment of the SAQRF in Sri Lanka. As such the Cabinet approved the Proposal presented by the Minister of Education to implement the SAQRF in Sri Lanka together with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment.

The National Policy on Climatic Changes

Sri Lanka is a country prone to climatic changes constantly and it causes multiple impacts on local economic growth. The government has recognized the necessity of implementing actions to minimize the impact of climatic changes paying attention to sustainable development. Furthermore, it has been identified that a contemporary update is required in the national climate change policy prepared in the year 2012 in order to gain benefits from the programmes, mechanisms and funds in regard to climatic risks, national priorities, new emerging global developments, and programmes relevant to climate. In keeping with the current developments, the Cabinet decided to grant their approval to the National Policy on climatic changes that has been updated by the Ministry of Environment inquiring opinions from relevant parties, adhering to the contributions defined at national level, to the national plan adjusting to the impacts of climatic changes, to the responsibilities of the Paris Accord as well as the framework convention on climatic changes of the United Nations and furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.

Plot of land from LRC to CTCL on 30 year lease for forest farming

The Ceylon Tobacco Company Limited (CTCL) has made a request for the provision of a portion of land on lease for a forest farming project. The said portion is from Maduwanwala Nindagama Watte belonging to the Land Reforms Commission (LRC) and situated in Panamura Grama Niladhari division of the Divisional Secretariat division of Embilipitiya in the district of Ratnapura. The project report furnished by the said Company has been evaluated and following Cabinet approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Tourism and Lands, the release of a portion of land in extent of 87 acres 3 roods and 25 perches from the land called Maduwanwala Nindagama Watte will be taken on a long-term lease for a period of 30 years.

Amendment to Survey and Mapping Act No. 21 of 1969 gets Cabinet nod

The necessity of the amendment of Act No. 21 of 1969 by which the Institute of Survey and Mapping was established has been recognized so that it can be operated as an institution providing higher education facilities in the survey and mapping sector.

Accordingly, it is expected by the proposed amendments to create higher education requirements in the survey and mapping sector for the students who have followed studies in advanced level mathematics streams as well as the other streams but are yet deprived of University education and present graduates with practical knowledge that caters to the local and overseas employment market.

Accordingly, the Cabinet granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Tourism and Lands to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft Bill to amend the Institute of Survey and Mapping Act No. 21 of 1969.

Amendment of Medical Ordinance given green light by Cabinet

The resolution to amend the Medical Ordinance No. 26 of 1927 in order to revise the provisions relevant to the registration of specialist physicians furnished by the then Minister of Health was taken into consideration by the Cabinet at their meeting held on 07.08.2023 and it was decided to direct the matter to a officers’ committee headed by the Secretary to the Prime Minister in order to submit appropriate recommendations by further studying the proposed amendments.

Therefore, the Cabinet decided to grant approval to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft Bill for the amendment of the Medical Ordinance based on recommendations mentioned in the report handed over by the said committee.