Phasing out of Hydro-fluorocarbon
Fulfilment of National commitments consistent with the Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol on gradual phase out of Hydro-fluorocarbon importation and consumption of it being mindful of not having any adverse effects in the process.
In 2018, Sri Lanka ratified the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol on the phase down of Hydro-fluorocarbon. As a result, Sri Lanka is legally bound to restrict the import, export, trade and consumption of Hydro-fluorocarbon on a phased basis from January 01, 2024.
As such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Environment to adhere the legal obligation of the National obligations related to the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Alliance by limiting the importation and consumption of pure Hydro-fluorocarbon and products containing Hydro-fluorocarbon to Sri Lanka on a phasing out basis and by implementing the Hydro-fluorocarbon import trade under an annual import quota system so that the hydro-fluorocarbon consuming sectors such as agriculture, fishing, health, tourism, transport, industry, housing, and construction do not have adverse effects.
Establishment of an inter-Ministerial tourism committee
It is recognised that the current revival of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry will play an important role in the country’s economic recovery and growth.
Therefore, many measures have been proposed in the 2024 budget, including the implementation of a long-term programme to promote the tourism sector and bring at least five million tourists annually.
Due to the multifaceted nature of the tourism industry and its various assets, laws and responsibilities are divided among several government agencies, it is essential to maintain efficient coordination and cooperation among the relevant agencies to achieve the desired benefits.
As such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the President to establish an inter-ministerial tourism committee chaired by the Secretary to the President and with representatives from relevant government agencies.
MoU between DSRSL and Govt. of Hungary on Sports and Sport Education
It has been proposed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (DSRSL) and the Republic of Hungary in order to develop and strengthen cooperation between the two sides by promoting the fields of sports and sports education. The draft MoU has received the Attorney General’s clearance and as such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs to obtain the relevant signatures.
Creating a million young entrepreneurs under the ‘Urumaya’ programme
An islandwide programme to gather information about young entrepreneurs covering the entire island obtaining information related to grant of freehold ownership and creating a million young entrepreneurs under the ‘Urumaya’ programme. Almost two million families in the country have been given grants/permits for the land they occupy. Under the Urumaya programme, it is planned to give the absolute right of the government lands to the grantees and permit holders in the year 2024. It is also planned to implement a programme to create one million young entrepreneurs in the entire island. The information required to implement these two programmes is expected to be gathered by deploying the youth force of the National Youth Service Council covering all 14,022 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the island with the support of the Grama Niladhari in the respective divisions. In accordance, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Tourism and Lands to implement the Urumaya programme and the programme to create a million young entrepreneurs by collecting the necessary information through the existing mechanisms at the divisional secretariat level.
Revision of Sri Lanka Foundation Act No: 31 of 1973
The Sri Lanka Foundation, established under the Sri Lanka Foundation Act No. 31 of 1973, acts as a centre for training and awareness services on subjects related to sustainable development, social integration, socioeconomic development, good governance, entrepreneurship and democracy. At present, the Sri Lanka Foundation runs various courses ranging from Certificate courses to Advanced National Diplomas. However, there is a need to revise not only the goals and objectives of the foundation but also the powers and functions to suit the current needs. Consequently, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Media Minister to amend the Sri Lanka Foundation Act providing scope for the Act to perform accordingly.
Amendments to the Primary Courts Procedure Act
In a dispute affecting land, it is the function of a Civil Court to determine or give a final decision as to title or possession, and until then only preventive or remedial action is taken by a Primary Court. Inevitable delays occur here since the order entered by the Primary Court remains in effect pending a final decision by a District Court in determining rights, and since District Court decisions are subject to two appeals. That situation enables a trespasser or even a squatter to retain possession of the land for a considerable period of time. As such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill to amend the Primary Court Procedure Act so as to achieve the desired objectives section 66 of the Primary Court Procedure Act No. 44 of 1979 as amended by Act No. 49 of 1980 in a more effective manner.
Provision of fertilizer subsidy to farmers for Yala season
As estimated by the National Fertilizer Secretariat, the chemical fertilizers urea, TSP and MOP, respectively, MT 110298.1, MT 27711.1 and MT. 33412.4 each is required for paddy cultivation in 2024 season. Accordingly, taking into consideration the proposals presented by the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister, the Cabinet decided as follows.
To import fertilizer through Ceylon Fertilizer Company Limited and Colombo Commercial Fertilizer Company Limited for the 2024 ‘Yala’ season, and sell fertilizer to farmers at concessional prices competitively with the private sector. Provision of a Rs. 15,000 subsidy per hectare for a maximum of twoú hectares cultivated by a farmer during the 2024 Yala season through the Department of Agricultural Development, directly crediting of relevant subsidy to farmers’ bank accounts.
Acceleration of stalled rural development programmes
Due to the economic crisis of the last few years, many development projects that had been commenced at the rural level had to be suspended.
However, since the government has already made significant investment in those projects, those projects should be completed immediately and the expected benefits should be given to the rural people. It has been revealed that the amount of allocation allocated under the decentralized budget programme is not sufficient to continue the implementation of the rural development programmes that have already been suspended midway in the respective areas.
Hence, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the President to provide another Rs. 2,000 million allocation under the decentralized budget programme for the re-implementation of the development projects that had to be stopped midway at the rural level, and to increase the allocation for special development initiatives implemented under the supervision of the President’s Office by another 1,000 million rupees.
Rooftop Solar Power Generation Projects for Religious Places
Awarding procurement for the implementation of the Rooftop Solar Power Generation Projects for Religious Places under the funds provided by the Government of India.
On January 08, 2024, the Cabinet had approved the implementation of the Rooftop Solar Power Generation Projects in religious places subject to a limit of 17 million US dollars under the loan facility of 1,000 million US dollars provided by the State Bank of India.
In effect, bids have been invited to select a suitable institution for the implementation of the project, and six bids have so far been received. Considering the recommendations made by the Procurement Appellate Board regarding the recommendation made by the Technical Appraisal Committee and the Standing Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Power and Energy to award the procurement for the implementation of Rooftop Solar Power Generation Project to M/s Premier Energies Ltd., for a contract price of US$ 17 million.
Relief to low income families gets Cabinet nod
In the first half of 2023, the government has taken steps to provide ten kilos of Nadu rice per family for a period of two months covering 2.74 million families in the 25 districts, including Samurdhi beneficiaries.
In order to help maintain the nutritional level of the identified low-income earners, it has been found that it is advisable to implement the same programme this year as well. Following which, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the President to provide 10 kgs of rice per family per month for a period of two months covering about 2.74 million low-income families identified through district secretaries/Government Agents by involving small and medium scale mill owners.
