01. Establishment of an independent centralized procurement institution for purchase of common items used in public institutions (Document No – 05)
The need of establishing a centralized procurement institution to procure common items used in public institutions for minimizing the delay and waste caused in government's procurement procedure and considering the benefit of procuring in large scale, the quality of goods, and gaining the actual value of their prices. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, to establish an independent centralized body comprised of five members with expertise in various fields, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
02. Construction of a two storied building in Ranaviru Sevana Ragama for making of artificial disability equipment for disabled war heroes (Document No – 08)
Making disability equipment for war heroes is done by the Prosthetic and Orthotics department in Ranaviru Sevana Ragama and around 3,000 war heroes have registered for preparing such equipment for them. As this department is maintained with minimum facilities, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, to construct a two storied building in this regard at an estimated cost of Rs. 81.43 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
03. Obtaining compensation under the international law on leakage of fuel to the ocean due to accidents in shipping (Document No – 09)
At present, 80 countries have obtained the membership of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, which is being enforced since 2008 for paying compensation for parties affected with the spreading of bunker oil due to accidents of ships. As about 5000 ships arrive at Sri Lankan harbours and a large number of ships travel across Sri Lankan sea, there is a high risk for such accidents in the seas surrounding Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is suitable to obtain the membership of this convention and accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to accept this convention and to amend the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008 to comply with the said convention, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
04. Responsibility of the producer/trader and consumer in waste management in Sri Lanka (Document No – 10)
Despite laws and awareness programmes, producers, traders and consumers irresponsibly dispose naturally non-degradable containers, electrical and electronic waste to the environment. About 60% of polythene and plastic imported to Sri Lanka (210,000 MT) are disposed to the environment. As a measure to this situation it has been proposed to impl,ement the Polluter Pay Principle. This will charge an temporary deposit from the consumer by the trader/producer at the time of purchase of goods and reimburse it when non degradable containers and material are returned. For Electronic and electrical items used for a long period an annual interest calculated on the deposit will also be reimbursed. This will help in proper management of waste by collecting them in proper places. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to appoint a Committee of Officials with representatives from relevant institutions for making recommendations in implemnebnting this method in Sri Lanka and to implement a pilot project according to its recommendations, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
05. Development of Maternal and newborn healthcare units of Matara General Hospital (Document No – 11)
The Matara General Hospital provides accommodation for almost a half of residential patients in Matara District. As the hospital is sityuated in a limited space and it has a limited possibility of expansion. Moreover, the productive utilixation of Korea Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital in Godagama, Matara has also been considered. Accordingly it has been proposed to establish the Maternal and Newborn Healthcare Units of the Matara General Hospital in Korea Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital. Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the Cabinet of Ministers that steps have been taken to obtain a grant of USD 8.5 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency for establishment of a new ward complex in Korea Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital.
06. Child Activity Survey – 2015/16 (Document No – 12)
Above survey has been conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics and its data base has been prepared and checked. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to prepare its final report and to conduct an awareness programme for relevant institutions and public using additional funds of Rs. 4.35 million granted by the International Labour Organization, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
07. Purchasing of soya beans for thriposha production (Document No – 16)
Considering the facts presented by Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, and Hon. Duminda Dissanayake, Minister of Agriculture, the Cabinet of Ministers have decided as follows.
* Directly supply 5,000 MT of Soya Beans to Thriposha Company purchased by the National Food Promotion Board from Soya Bean Farmers.
* Purchase soya beans for the future production of Thriposha from registered Farmers' Organizations by calling for quotations.
08. Matara Water Supply Project – stage iv (Document No – 20)
The proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, to enter into a loan agreement for obtaining a loan of USD 76.83 million and Rs. 2,448.81 million from the National Development Bank to implement the above project, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
09. Amendments to the Institute of valuers of Sri Lanka Law No. 33 of 1975 (Document No – 23)
The proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to amend the above laws with necessary timely amendments, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
10. Subsidiary agreement between the governments of Sri Lanka and Australia in respect of Skills for inclusive Economic Growth programme (Document No – 24)
The Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training will conduct a programme to enhance skills of youth in Ampara, Batticaloa, Tricomalee, and Polonnaruwa Districts to enter into employments in tourism sector in 2016-2019. The proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, to enter into the above agreement for obtaining financial grants of USD 15 million, agreed to be provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
11. Establishment of a multi modal transport hub – Colombo Fort/Pettah (Document No – 30)
Comprehensive Management Plan for the Western Region Megapolis includes establishment of Multi Modal Transport Hub in Colombo Fort/Pettah, by amalgamating all transport modals. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, to establish the said transport hub as recommended by the Cabinet Committee of Economic Management, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
12. Allocation of a land in Parliament Road Battaramulla to relocate the Thalangama Police Station (Document No – 32)
Thalangama Police Station serves around 170,000 people in 240 Grama Niladhari Divisions. As the Police Station is located in a small land away from the main road within approximately 44 Perches , police officers and general public who comes to obtain services face various difficulties. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, to transfer a land of 01 acre owned by the Urban Development Authority to the Ministry of Law and Order and Southern Development to relocate the Police Station, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
13. Construction of an International Buddhist centre in line with the International vesak day celebrations 2017 (Document No – 36)
The above Buddhist Centre is proposed to be established in land of Rejidelwatte in Kahapola, Piliyandala which belongs to the Samarakoon legacy. Accordingly, the Shakya Janapada will be reconstructed in the land and a complete Buddhist library, meditation centre, a centre for dhamma oration training both in Sinhala and English, vegetarian cafeteria will also be included. The proposal made by Hon. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Buddha Sasana, to implement this project in association with the non-profit organization Light of Asia, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
14. Creation of a charitable trust – Sri Lanka Buddhist Pilgrims Rest (Document No – 37)
The above pilgrims rest in New Delhi, India, which provides facilities to pilgrims visiting India, was transferred to the Sri Lankan government by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at his reign. The proposal made by Hon. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Buddha Sasana, to establish a charitable trust fund under the Trusts Ordinance, to affirm that the said pilgrims rest is used according to its expected goals, to maintain its proper management, provide quality accommodation for pilgrims and utilize its earnings for charity, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
15. Penal code (amendment) bill – (Increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility) (Document No – 38)
Psychologists and other experts have opined that 8 years is far too young an age at which to incur criminal responsibility. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Justice, publish the above bill in gazette and subsequently present in parliament for approval which was drafted amend the Penal Code for changing the minimum age for criminal responsibility as 12 years and in case of a child between 12 and 14 to confer discretion on a Magistrate to determine whether such child has the required degree of maturity to form the requisite intent or to entertain requisite knowledge which serves as the mens rea of the impugned offence, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. Proposed pension scheme for migrant workers (Document No – 41)
A Committee has been appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers in 2015 propose a pension scheme for migrant workers. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Thalatha Athukorala, Minister of Foreign Employment, to implement the pension scheme prepared by the Committee and to make required amendments to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
17. Disposal of Segregated Waste of Ministries and public institutions for a proper waste management programme to mitigate the increase of global warming (Document No – 43)
The proposal made by Hon. Faizer Mustafa, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, to hand over waste of Ministyries and their affiliated institutions as segregated waste to relevant local government institutions as a preliminary step and to obtain the cooperation of ministers in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
18. Compensation for the loss due to the fire break out in the service market shops in Kilinochchi (Document No – 45 and 58)
122 shops have been damaged due to the above fire break out on 16-09-2016. The proposals made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Hon. D.M. Swaminathan, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, to pay a compensation of Rs. 74 million for affected traders of 122 shops, to establish a modern fire brigade service in the district at a cost of Rs 97 million, and to build a permanent market complex to relocate damaged shops at an estimated cost of Rs. 150 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
19. Refurbishment of Nila Sevana Housing Scheme - Habaraduwa (Document No – 46)
The above housing scheme commenced with the view of providing houses for public servants in 2003 but the construction of 576 housing units have not been continued since 2011 and the relevant land of 13 acres and 09 buildings are being decaying. Hence it is proposed to implement this project changing its scope as a mixed projects for residential and tourist objectives. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Ranjith Maddumabandara, Minister of Public Administration and Management, and Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, to sign an supplementary agreement to the trilateral agreement signed between the Ministry of Public Administration and Management, Board of Investment Sri Lanka and the Project Company, enabling the provision of a part of its housing units for public officers and the rest for accommodation of local and foreign tourists, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
20. Acceptance of proposed Colombo Port city development project (Financial City project) as a strategic development project (Document No – 47)
Above project has been resumed after solving issues related to necessary approvals and environment impact. The proposal made by Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, to accept it as a strategic development project under the article 3(3) of Strategic Development Project Act No. 14 of 2008, and to publish the relevant gazette notification, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
21. Construction of upper elahera canal under Mahaweli Water security investment programme (Document No – 48)
Above project is implemented for providing water to North Central Province and the Upper Elahera Canal is constructed as its first phase. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to award the contract for constriuction of the said canal of 6.2 km in length at an estimated cost of Rs. 3,254 million, as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Standing Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
22. Construction of North Western canal under Mahaweli Water security investment programme (Document No – 49)
Above project is implemented for providing water for 12,500 hectares of paddy fields. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to award the contract for development of Wemedilla Left Bank canal of 5.25 km to Nebadagahawatte, to build a new sluice gate in Wemedilla Tank, and to construct a canal of 600 m from sluice gate to left bank main canal, as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Standing Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
23. Supply of 06 No's of diesel multiple units with air conditioned passenger compartments to Sri Lanka Railways under Indian Line credit (Document No – 50)
The proposal made by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, to award the above contact as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
24. Improvement of drugs production capacity of the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (Document No – 51)
It is necessary to improve the production capacity of the SPMC to provide good quality drugs with low prices to all hospitals in the country and to save a considerable amount of foreign exchange. The cabinet has already approved the construction of new manufacturing plants with essential infrastructure and equipment in this regard and Japan International Cooperation Agency has granted a credit of Japanese Yen 1,244 million. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, to award the contract in this regard as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Standing Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
