Cabinet Decisions

Improving facilities at identified hospitals

Proponent :- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the National Policies and Economic Affairs Minister.

Description :- Although the Cabinet of ministers had already approved a project for improving facilities at identified hospitals, loan facilities could not be obtained from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China as planned.

Considering the importance of the early implementation of this project, approval was granted by the Cabinet of ministers, to enter into loan agreements to obtain US$ 72.25 million (85 percent of the total project cost) from the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and US$ 12.75 million (15 percent of total project cost), from the People's Bank.

Promoting sustainable development goals

Proponent :- Sustainable Development and Wildlife Minister Ravindra Samaraweera.

Description :- The Sri Lanka Sustainable Development Act No. 19 of 2017 had been implemented in Sri Lanka since October 3, 2017.

The Cabinet of ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Sustainable Development and Wildlife Minister, to request all government institutions to prepare their plans including National Strategies that should be followed by such institutions, in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Act's objectives.

Introducing a New National Policy for fisheries and aquaculture fields

Proponent :- Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

Description :- In accordance with the Cabinet approval, a new National Policy had been prepared with the intention of Sustainable Management and Fair Distribution of Benefits of Fisheries and Aquaculture fields. The proposal was submitted by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister, to submit the proposed National Policy for Fisheries and Aquaculture Fields to Parliament, in order to obtain the views of Parliamentary Representatives .

Enhancement of aquaculture productivity

Proponent :- Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

Description :- An amount of Rs. 1 million had been allocated by the Budget 2018, to implement a project for the conservation and development of aquatic environments associated with lagoons and inland water bodiesand for the enhancement of fish production through aquaculture. It was proposed to implement this project covering 18 lagoons and 300 freshwater tanks in the Wet Zone, granting priority to the Puttalam, Nayaru, Arugambe, Panama and Rakawa Lagoons.

Agro-Irrigation Development Project adapted to climate changes (2018-2024)

Proponent :- Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake.

Description :- Nearly 470,000 acres (25 percent) of the total amount of paddy fields in Sri Lanka, had been cultivated by utilising small lakes, anicuts and canals in the Dry and Intermediate Zones. This generates livelihood for about 384,000 farmer families.

It had been identified that 1,493 small tanks under 87 Cascade Systems spread over nine districts in the Dry Zone should be reconstructed. Accordingly, the proposal submitted to implement a project to enhance the productivity of the cultivations under these tanks, was approved by the Cabinet of ministers. This project would be implemented between 2018 and 2024 under subsidies from the World Bank.

Proposal for Construction Industry Development (Amendment) Act

Proponent :- Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa.

Description :- After inquiries were made and a debate was held among all respective parties, draft amendment bills had been prepared for the amendments of the Construction Industry Development Act. The proposal toinstruct the Legal Draftsman to draft legislations for Construction Industry Development Act No. 33 of 2014 , was approved by the Cabinet of ministers.

Action Plan for exploration and production of petroleum

Description :- It had been planned to enter into agreements with selected companies, to search of possible petroleum sources in the East coast and shallow sea areas. The information was provided to the Cabinet of ministers by Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna ranatunga.

Procurement for issuing Vehicle Emission Test certificates

Proponent :- Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Description :- In accordance with the recommendation of the Cabinet-Appointed Negotiating Committee, approval of the Cabinet of ministers was granted to award the contract for issuing Vehicle Emission Test Certificates to M/s Laugfs Eco Sri. Pvt/Ltd, M/s Cleanco Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. and to M/s Auto Test Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd .

Acquiring government-owned lands for estate schools

Proponent :- Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake, Public Enterprise and Kandy Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

Description :- The government had entered into a Policy Agreement, to allocate two-acre lands each for estate schools. Since state-owned estates had been given back to private companies on lease, lands should be acquired from those companies for this purpose.

The combined proposal of Ministers Navin Dissanayake, Lakshman Kiriella and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, to acquire lands (maximum of two acres) from respective companies and to grant those to 354 estate schools in seven districts, was approved by the Cabinet of ministers.