02. Construction of a new three storied building for Negombo regional Engineering Office of the Department of Coast Conservation (Document No – 11)
The Regional Engineering Office constructed in 1987 in Negombo undertakes planning of coast conservation activities and regulation and control of development activities in a coastal area of 250 square kilometres in Gampaha, Puttalam and Mannar Districts. The building is older than 30 years and does not suit present-day needs. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to construct a new three storied building at an estimated cost of Rs. 60 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
03. Improvement of living status of communities living near wildlife zones (Document No – 12)
The Cabinet has already approved the removal of people living in elephant migratory pathways. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, to evacuate people in the initial step in North-western, Uva and Southern zones and implement basic surveys and awareness programmes for such communities and assign these tasks to the Wildlife Trust, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
04. Act for the amendment of Divineguma Act No. 1 of 2013 (Document No – 16)
The cabinet of ministers has already approved the amendment of the above act as per the request of rural level officers who coordinates programmes related to improvement of living standards of low income communities, to use the term 'Samurdhi' instead of 'Divineguma'. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. S.B. Dissanayake, Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare, to publish in the gazette and present in the parliament for approval the amendment bill drafted by the Legal Draftsman in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
05. Enactment of anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard legislation in Sri Lanka (Document No – 18)
The joint proposal made by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, to publish in the gazette and present in the parliament after clearance by the Attorney General, the two bills drafted on anti-dumping and countervailing and on safeguard measures with the view of facing unjust trade practices of some countries as well as protecting domestic industries and manufacturers from uncontrolled imports, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
06. Formulation of a method to sell paddy after converting into rice (Document No – 20)
The proposal made by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, to formulate a method to distribute paddy among consumers through Lanka Sathosa, Cooperatives and whole sale dealers by converting into rice with rice processing centres in Pannegamuwa and Hingurakgoda owned by Cooperative Wholesale Corporation and private rice processing centres with the view of stabilising the price of rice and continue operations in above rice processing centres, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
07. Amendment of the intellectual properties act No 36 of 2003 for affirming security of geographical indices inherited to Sri Lanka (Document No – 21)
A geographical index is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin, and such indices are an asset to that country. Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon are such indices identified by the Intellectual Properties Act No. 36 of 2003. However, manufacturers and exporters face difficulties as there is no legal framework on registration of geographical indices. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, as per the recommendations of the Committee of Officials appointed in this regard to publish in the gazette and present in the parliament the bill to amend the Intellectual Properties Act No 36 of 2003 authorising the relevant minister on making directions on protecting, registering and certifying any product originated in Sri Lanka, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
08. Establishment of an Industrial and Techno Development super zone in Raigama, Kaluthara (Document No – 22)
The government's concept is to setup industrial estates with the view of spread the industrial development to rural areas, produce value added products with rural resources, and increase highly paid employment opportunities in rural areas. Hence, it has been decided to establish 11 Industrial and Technological Development Zones island wide and Rs. 500 million has been allocated by budget 2016 to establish 04 super zones in Hambantota, Raigama, Mahaoya and Trincomalee. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, to setup the above Industrial and Technological super zone in Raigama in Kaluthara District, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
09. Feasibility study on five light railway transits (LRT) proposed to be constructed in Western region (Document No – 25)
The Cabinet has already approved the construction of 07 LRTs in Western Region as a long-term measure to cater future transport demand. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to assist construction of 02 LRTs. Therefore, the proposal made by Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, to, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
10. Developing Acland House into a Boutique Hotel with advanced facilities and services (Document No – 27)
Acland House (Wisumpaya) built as a cafeteria for Officers in Rifle Regiment is gradually decaying and it is required to renovate the building without damaging its antique value. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, to develop it into a Boutique Hotel for high-end guests, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
11. Transfer Oluwil Fisheries Harbour to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Document No – 28)
Oluwil Harbour, which is a largest fisheries harbour in Eastern Province, has a depth of 3.5 m and many facilities including anchoring of many multiday vessels. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to transfer this harbour which is currently administrated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation which is under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development with the view of developing fisheries industry in the province and making it a profitable harbour, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
12. Developing an IT backbone for the tea industry – Sri Lanka Tea Board (Document No – 32)
Although there is a high price for Sri Lankan Tea with its qualities in the world market, increase of producing cost and global situations has gradually reduced the profit in the industry. In this situation, to affirm the quality of products the Tea Board supervises all steps in the process of manufacturing. The proposal made by Hon. Navin Dissanayake, Minister of Plantation Industries, to introduce an IT backbone to improve efficiency of these tasks at an estimated cost of Rs. 220 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
13. Physical and spiritual development programme which is activated under the project of "punyagrama" (Document No – 35)
The proposal made by Hon. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Buddha Sasana, to project of establishing water filters in temples that are being maintained with many difficulties in areas which has drinking water related issues including North, North-central, and Eastern Provinces where the chronic kidney disease is prevailed, using Rs. 24 million allocated in this regard for the year 2016, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
14. Improvement of productivity in the livestock sector in Sri Lanka (Document No – 36)
The proposal made by Hon. P. Harrison, Minister of Rural Economic Affairs, to allocate treasury funds of Rs. 1,402 million to establish a new Food Technology Laboratory in Veterinary Research Institute, modernize the vaccine production centre of the Veterinary Research Institute, setup multi-sectorial Bodies at district level for Rabies control and formulate a national programme for surveillance of diseases of wildlife, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
15. Obtaining a land for construction of the Monaragala District Sports Complex and Monaragala Indoor stadium (Document No – 37)
The proposal made by Hon. Kabir Hashim, Minister of Public Enterprise Development, to allocate a land of 10 acres in extent from the Kumarawatta estate owned by the Land Reforms Commission and currently enjoyed by the Janatha Estate Development Board for construction of above mentioned sports complex and indoor stadium, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. Commence a value added processing zone in Elpitiya (Document No – 39)
In line with the government's policy of establishing 23 agricultural mega zones it is planned to establish the above processing zone in Elpitiya in Galle District providing employment opportunities and a high export income to the region. Accordingly, the joint proposal made by Hon. Navin Dissanayake, Minister of Plantation Industries, Hon. Gayantha Karunathilaka, Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media, Hon. Daya Gamage, Minister of Primary Industries, to allocate a land of 200 acres in Igalkanda and Ketapalawatta owned by the Elpitiya Plantation Company, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
17. Accelerated programme for middle income housing and infrastructure development (Document No – 40)
It is expected to construct 500,000 housing units within 05 years under the above programme for providing houses for affordable prices for government and private sector employees with a middle income. According to the recommendations of the national steering committee appointed in this regard, the proposal made by Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Minister of Housing and Construction, to implement Iskagarawatte Housing Scheme with 332 housing units in Kundasale and Mount Clifford Housing Scheme with 860 housing units in Homagama, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
18. National plan for women headed households (Document No – 42)
In empowering of women who comprises of 52% of overall population a priority attention should be made to women headed households which are 24.3% of overall families in country. The proposal made by Hon. Chandrani Bandara, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, to implement the national initiative with the objective of affirming women's contribution in development process under the fields of physico-social support, livelihood development, security, social protection, national level policy making and community awareness, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
19. Amendment of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Act No. 28 of 1961 (Document No – 45)
The government has noted the importance of transferring Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to the regulatory scope of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, to amend the above act to achieve this objective, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
20. Amendment of the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority act No. 17 of 1999 (Document No – 46)
Administrative and maintenance activities of Sugathadasa indoor and outdoor stadiums, Sugathadasa Swimming Pool, Bogambara outdoor stadium in Kandy, Racecourse in Nuwara Eliya and swimming pool in Beliatta are done by the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority. This provides sporting facilities to concessionary rates and its income is insufficient for its maintenance. Hence, the proposal made by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Sports, to amend the above act to enable these stadiums to be provided for other events such as artistic events, conferences, examinations etc. when not used in sporting activities to gain a sufficient income, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
21. Construction of a radial and solid tyre plant in Sri Lanka (Document No – 49)
The proposal made by Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, to facilitate an investor through the Sri Lankan Investment Board, who wishes to establish a radial and solid tyre plant in Horana area that aims 60% of its production to the export market and creates more than 1,000 employment opportunities with an investment of US$ 75 million within 4 years, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
22. Procurement of 163 new engine kits for Sri Lanka Transport Board (Document No – 55)
The proposal made by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, to procure 163 Ashok Leyland new engine kits for Sri Lanka Transport Board under Indian grant assistance, as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
23. Procurement of 20 Nos. container carrier wagons and 30 nos. Fuel Tank Wagons to Sri Lanka Railways (Document No – 57)
The proposal made by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, to award the above contract as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
24. "Rajarata Navodaya" presidential programme – District Development projects – "Let us awakening Polonnaruwa" 2016-2020 (Document No – 59)
Construction of Government Servant's quarters and Administrative Building Complex in Polonnaruwa New Town, Reconstruction of Railway Quarters for Kaduruwela town development, and construction of Thamankaduwa Divisional Secretariat in Polonnaruwa New Town are 4 special projects identified under the above programme implemented according to a concept by H.E. the President. The proposal made by Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, to entrust structural engineering designs and construction of above to Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau/ Central Engineering Services (Private) Ltd at an estimated cost of Rs. 4,120 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
25. Implementation of Lanka Government Network 2.0 (LGN) (Document No – 66)
The reducing of the data transmission speed of the LGN, introduced by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) within 2007-2012 for maintaining digital interaction between public institutions and general public and among public institutions, is a major obstacle to achieve the government's aim of digitalizing the economy. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Harin Fernando, Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, to implement the Lanka Government Network 2.0 aiming providing high speed connectivity and free Wi-Fi services for E-Government activities, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
