Cabinet Decisions

The programme for a democratic, prosperous Sri Lanka with the ability to survive amidst disasters

Two agreements have been signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of the United States of America in the year 2011 in order to supply funds for the projects namely ‘The programme to strengthen the cooperation for democratic good governance and social integrity’ and ‘Programme to create a sustainable and covered economic development’ whereas the two programmes have been implemented. It has been proposed to sign a new agreement for implementation of a new programme for financing United States Dollars 57 million by the United

States Agency for International Development (USAID) and named “The Programme for a Democratic, Prosperous Sri Lanka with the Ability to Survive Amidst Disasters” until the year 2026, paying the preliminary attention on the fields of productive democratic governance, growth based on a secure market and strengthening the resources required to sustain pressure and stress. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution submitted by the Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies for conducting discussions for obtaining the said grant.

Resumption of international operations in the International Airport of Jaffna

Although international operations at the International Airport of Jaffna was inaugurated on November 11, 2019 ensuring the fundamental international monitoring requirements, its operational activities have been suspended from March 15, 2020 due to the COVID – 19 pandemic circumstances prevailed during that period. The internationally and locally based aeronautical companies have submitted requests by now for the operation of rented air tours as well as time framed aeronautical flights from that Airport to South Indian destinations. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to grant their concurrence to the measures taken by the Minister of Ports, Naval and Aviation Services in relation to the resumption of international operational activities of Jaffna International Airport once again with effect from July 1, 2022.

Revision of the Ordinance on Children and Youths

The Convention on the Children’s Rights defines any individual below 18 years of age as a child. Accordingly, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on September 16, 2020 to revise the ordinance on children and youth including the relevant provisions by adhering to the said convention. Accordingly, the clearance of the Attorney General has been granted to a draft bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Legislature, Prisons Activities and Constitutional Reforms to publish the draft Bill in the Government Gazette and submit to the Parliament for approval thereby.

Introduction of new laws on child protection and justice

Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on February 18, 2015 for the formulation of the draft Bill on child protection (judicial security) to enable establishment of courts that implement judicial authority for court hearings in regard to children, who require protection and security or trial against children violating the law and implement the judicial authority of different forms so that courts could be established that could implement a different type of judicial authority. Accordingly, the preliminary draft Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has been studied by two specialist committees and further proposals have been furnished. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Legislature, Prisons Activities and Constitutional Reforms to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare the final draft Bill including the said proposals too to the preliminary draft Bill.

Revision of Prevention of Fraud Ordinance

Considering the necessity to make certain incidental revisions even to the Prevention of Fraud Ordinance in concurrence with the revisions recommended to be performed to the Notaries Ordinance and the Last Will Ordinance, it has been decided at the meeting of Cabinet of Ministers held on October 18, 2021 to instruct the Legal Draftsman to formulate a draft Bill for the requirement. Accordingly, the clearance of the Attorney General has been granted to a draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Legislature, Prisons Activities and Constitutional Reforms to publish the draft Bill in the Government Gazette and submit it to the Parliament for approval thereby.

Amendments to the Powers of Attorney Ordinance

Cabinet approval has been granted on 19.07.2021 to introduce amendments to the Powers of Attorney Ordinance in order to minimize fraudulent activities using bogus power of attorney and the illegal use of power of attorney. The clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman and accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, to publish the said Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter present the same in Parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Introducing amendments to Notaries Ordinance

Cabinet approval has been granted on 19.07.2021 to introduce amendments to the Notaries Ordinance to introduce new provisions to prevent illegal activities related to land fraud. The clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the Bill prepared based on the preliminary Bill prepared by the Notary Advisory Committee and the views of the Registrar General by the Legal Draftsman and accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, to publish the said Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter present the same in Parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Amendments to the Registration of Documents Ordinance

Cabinet approval has been granted on 19.07.2021 to introduce amendments to the Registration of Documents Ordinance in order to prevent illegal activities related to land frauds. The clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman and accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, to publish the said Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter present the same in Parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution

Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been given on 20.06.2022 for the preliminary draft for the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill has been prepared by the legal Draftsman accordingly. The Attorney General has informed that the Bill is in accordance with the Constitution. Consequently, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, to publish the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter present the same in Parliament for approval.