Cabinet Decisions

Proposal to ensure sustainability of state enterprises approved

The following are the decisions taken at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on August 1.

Management of expenditure of state corporations, statutory boards and government owned companies

The monitoring efficiency as well as the financial discipline of the state enterprises have to be ensured strictly with a view to enabling the government to face the challenging situation existing within the country at present. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted their concurrence to the proposal submitted by the President as the Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies Minister in order to issue circular instructions for expenditure management and ensuring the sustainability of the state corporations, statutory boards and government owned companies, parallel to the National Budget Circular No. 03/2022 dated April 26 issued in regard to the controlling of government expenditure.

Granting duty concessions on imports by local garment manufacturing equipment / appliances

The garment industry has become one of the main sectors earning foreign exchange for Sri Lanka even amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, due to the price hike of raw materials and the prevailing unfavourable economic environment experienced in the country, local garment manufacturers are compelled to deal with a number of challenges when importing appliances required for garment manufacturing that are not produced locally.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Industries Minister for granting duty concessions in regard to appliances / items not manufactured locally and coming under 19 harmonized system (HS) codes, as a remedy to the prevailing situation.

Enactment of the Constitution of the Sri Lanka UNESCO National Commission

The need to recognize and strengthen in Sri Lanka UNESCO National Commission has long been recognized.

In accordance with the Cabinet decision dated June 14, 2021, Legal Draftsman has prepared a bill for this purpose and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been received for this.

Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Education Minister to publish this in the Government Gazette and consequently table in the Parliament for approval.