02. Rehabilitation of degraded agricultural lands in Kandy, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya districts (Document No – 11)
The land degradation caused by various reasons including soil erosion has become a severe environmental issue in Sri Lanka. About 50% of lands in central highlands have degraded and most of them are in Kandy, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya Districts. The government has paid its attention on preventing this issue through a sustainable land management, considering its impact on ecosystem and farmers in the area. The proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to implement the above project during 2016-2020 with funds provided by the Government of Sri Lanka amounted to US$ 9,740,000 and by the Global Environmental Facility through Food and Agriculture Organization amounted to US$ 1,334,657, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
03. Provision of solutions to issues occurred with the control of use of chemicals harmful to Ozone layer (Document No – 12)
The Government of Sri Lanka has taken steps to gradually remove from use, the material harmful to ozone layer and introduction of ozone friendly alternatives and technologies according to the provisions of Vienna convention and Montreal Protocol. Accordingly a limitation and a quota scheme for Hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) have been introduced in 2013. This may impact on services and maintenance activities which require the said chemical especially the refrigerators and air conditioners sector. 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 with representatives from relevant ministries, departments and institutions to review and make recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers on the short-term and long-term proposals made in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
04. Implementation of an international standard for plugs and socket outlets (Document No – 15)
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka should take action to protect public from possible accidents occurred from generation, transmission, distribution and supply or the use of electricity according to the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009. Reported deaths occurred in 2012 due to electrocution was 180 which is a high value compared to international indicators. The commission has implemented various awareness programmes and direct interferences to minimize electrocutions by 2020. Therefore, the total deaths have been minimized to 77 in 2015. Use of various substandard plugs, sockets, electrical accessories, adaptors, and extension codes have caused many electrocutions and fires. Hence, considering opinion of professionals, public and relevant institutions the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to apply G grade as the sole standard for plugs and socket outlets used in Sri Lanka, and to allow the use of currently used plugs and socket outlets and which are sold within next two years (02) to the end of their lifetime, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
05. Obtaining the service of retired Technical Officers of three armed forces for development programmes implemented under the Ministry of National policies and Economic affairs (Document No – 16)
Two (02) rural infrastructure development projects covering all the districts in the country have been implemented under the Ministry of National policies and Economic Affairs. In addition other projects by various ministries are being implemented through District Secretariats. The requirement of Technical Officers in the regional level is 700 but only 300 are in the active service that causes a barrier in completion of above projects in due dates. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to obtain the service of retired Technical Officers of Three Armed Forces in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
06. Developing an integrated rural development mechanism (Document No – 17)
Shortcomings such as coordinating weaknesses and inclusion of tasks in a certain project in the scope of another project have occurred in implementation of rural infrastructure projects by various ministries. Hence, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to establish a steering committee comprised of Secretaries or their representatives of Ministries of National Policies and Economic Affairs, Finance, Home Affairs, Rural Economics and Provincial Councils and Local Government to implement an integrated rural development mechanism, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
07. Holding the Second Global Health Consultation on Migration Health in Sri Lanka from 25th to 28th October 2016 (Document No – 27)
H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena has proposed to hold the above event with the view of emphasising the importance of holding such discussions for highlighting important and common issues on protecting the health of migrants. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, to hold the above event in Sri Lanka from 25th to 28th October 2016 with the participation of around 40 countries, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
08. Permission under section 22(4) of the Exchange Control Act for remittance of export proceeds (Document No – 29)
Payments received for exports should be remitted within 90 days from the exportation according to the provisions of the Exchange Control Act. According to the requests made by relevant parties, the proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, to extend the relevant period as 120 days with effect from 01 August 2016 and to provide a relief period of 30 days before taking legal action after the expiration of 120 days, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
09. National Policy on durable solutions for conflict-affected displacement (Document No – 32)
This policy has been prepared with long discussions held with relevant ministries, national, provincial and district level stakeholders, UN agencies, Civil Society Organizations, and displaced communities. It demonstrates the government's commitment in rebuilding the lives of displaced families on a rights-based approach. Affirming a durable solution goes beyond resettlement and it includes provision of protection, housing, water, sanitation and healthcare, primary education, a good living standard, and access to livelihood etc. Also they should be socialised without any discrimination based on their gender, ethnicity, age, language, political opinion, religion, caste, living place etc. Therefore, the proposal made by Hon. D.M. Swaminathan, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, to accept the above policy, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
10. Development of Anamaduwa Public Bus stand stage II (Document No – 42)
Anamduwa town renders its service to many rural areas that are depending on agriculture especially as a centre for sale of agricultural products and provision of material for a large catchment area. The Bus stand situated in the centre of the town provides facilities to about 15,000 passengers daily. Anamaduwa Bus Stand development has been identified as a priority project by the Anamaduwa Development Plan, and its construction have commenced in 2012 with provincial council funds. As the project aims to develop urban facilities for the public, the proposal made by Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, to complete its balance work by the Urban Development Authority and to obtain required allocations of Rs. 25 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
11. Re-development of Chilaw Fishery Harbour (Document No – 43)
Re-development of the Chilaw Fishery Harbour, which is situated near the estuary of the Deduru Oya, is a long awaited request by the fishermen of the area and its renovation is being done. Currently, about 1110 OFRP and about 35 multiday boats are carrying out fishing in this area and the lagoon basin is used as an anchorage. The main issue is the protection of fishery vessels while travelling through the estuary of the Deduru Oya. Many lives and property have been damaged in rough sea conditions. Therefore, people have to engage in fishing activities only in calm sea conditions. As a solution to this problem the feasibility report proposes to construct a breakwater and to remove sand from access road and mouth of the lagoon and the proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to obtain funds of Rs. 550 million required in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
12. Provision of new infrastructure for regional courts (Document No – 46)
Many Magistrate Courts and District Courts situated outside Colombo are being maintained in old buildings with minimum facilities causing difficulties in proceeding with legal procedures. Therefore, the proposal made by Hon. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Justice, to construct new buildings for courts in Gampola, Ruwanwella, Mullaitivu and Passara and to establish a Circuit Magistrate's Court in Mankulam with an estimated cost of Rs. 1,172 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
13. Helanco Hotels and Spa (PVT) Ltd – Reduction of Stated Capital (Document No – 47)
A sum of Rs. 18.5 billion was invested by Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Employees Provident Fund and Litro Gas Lanka Ltd in the equity of Canwill Holdings (Pvt) Ltd for the purpose of construction of Grand Hyatt Colombo Hotel through its fully owned subsidiary Sinolanka Hotels and Spa Pvt Ltd and the constructions commenced in 2012. During its construction it was decided to invest Rs. 4 billion in building another hotel called Hyatt Regency in Hambantota. Although, Rs. 315 million has been spent, constructions of the said hotel have not been commenced. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Kabir Hashim, Minister of Public Enterprise Development, to use the funds allocated for Hyatt Regency in completion of the Grand Hyatt Colombo Hotel, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. It has also been decided to investigate on investing money of public enterprises in commercial ventures which are out of their basic objectives.
14. Cultural Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of France and Sri Lanka (Document No – 51)
The joint proposal made by Hon. S.B. Navinna, Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs and Hon. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Minister of Education, to enter into the above agreement between the Ministry of Culture and Communication of France and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka for exchange of knowledge and experience on museum sector and conservation of architectural heritage and archaeological sites in France and Sri Lanka and to enable Sri Lanka to obtain new technology in France and their specialist cooperation in the said fields, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
15. Additional Financing for Local Government Enhancement Sector Project (Pura Neguma) (Document No – 53)
The proposal made by Hon. Faizer Mustafa, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, to take action for provision of clean drinking water for Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Districts which the Chronic Kidney Disease is being prevailed and Matale District of Central Province Badulla and Monaragala Districts in Uva Province and Puttalam and Kurunegala Districts in North Western Province, improve provision of infrastructure and basic facilities on priority basis in provincial level, and to maintain restructuring activities and capacity building in a sustainable level of local government institutions covered by the project under the above project with an investment of US$ 67.84 million by the Asian Development Fund and the Government of Sri Lanka, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. Construction of two storied building instead of the building No. 54, at Katukurunda Training School of Special Task Force (Document No – 55)
The main training school of the Special Task Force (STF) which is under the Police Department is the Katukurunda Training School. Trainings such as Training on VIP security, training in riots and commotions control, and training on bomb disposal are being conducted in the school. Local and Foreign groups of officers are also trained. The building which provides residential facilities to trainees is very old and it can only provide accommodation for 100 officers. Therefore, the proposal made by Hon. Sagala Ratnayake, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development, to build a new two storied building that enables to provide accommodation for 200 officers at an estimated cost of Rs. 101.49 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
17. Requesting for proposals for the enhancement and upgrading of institute of Engineering Technology, Katunayake (Document No – 60)
Above project has already been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, to obtain proposals from the supplier recommended by the Government of Austria, which is the funding country, and to appoint a Technical Evaluation Committee and a Cabinet Appointed Standing Procurement Committee to evaluate those proposals and to implement this project at a maximum cost of Euro 9.5 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
18. Implementation of a Community based power generation programme "Soorya Bala Sangramaya" (Battle for Solar Energy) (Document No – 67)
Currently 50% of electricity production in Sri Lanka is done by renewable energy sources and it is expected to increase this percentage to 60% in 2020 and to 70% in 2030. Accordingly, it is required to build wind power plants of 600 MW and solar power plants of 3000 MW within the next 10 years. It is expected to join consumers in power generation and to promote small solar power plants established on the roof of their houses by the project called 'Soorya Bala Sangramaya'. It is expected to make at least 20% of consumers to produce electricity and it is expected pay for the excess electricity generated by the consumer. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, to implement this project within the next 10 years as a national programme, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
