01. Regulation of chemicals affecting national security
A large number of different chemicals are used in the country for peaceful purposes such as industrial,
agricultural, medical and research activities. As observed, among those chemicals, chemicals like Nitric
acid, Chlorine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Potassium Cyanide, sodium cyanide, Nitro Methane and Sodium
Azide are of dual use nature which can be used for peaceful activities as well as illegal activities. It has
been recognized that there is a risk that the chemicals used in many different industries such as milk,
beverages, oil-related industries, water purification etc. can be used for harmful activities that threaten
national security. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon.
President in his capacity as the Minister of Defense to make arrangements to regulate such chemicals to
prevent their misuse, and to transfer the said regulatory role to the National Authority for the
Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
02. Establishment of a University of Education by upgrading the National Colleges of Education into
university campuses.
An expert committee headed by Professor Gunapala Nanayakkara has been appointed as per the Cabinet
decision dated 04.12.2019 to make recommendations on the administrative and legal procedure to be
followed concerning the upgrading of the current National College of Education to the status of a
university faculty with the aim of making the entire teaching community of Sri Lanka graduates. The said
committee has recommended to upgrade 19 out of 20 existing National Colleges of Education as
university campuses and to establish a new university named Sri Lanka University of Education.
Accordingly the cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Education to
advise the legal draftsman to initiate the preparation of new bill for the imposition of relevant legal
provisions.
03. Provision of government land on lease basis for a 100 MW solar energy project
The proposal for the acquisition of about 219.72 hectares of land in Siyambalanduwa Divisional
Secretariat Division of Monaragala District to Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority for a 100 MW
solar energy project was taken up for discussion on 07.08.2023. It has been decided that the matter
should be discussed with the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, and then the related information should be
submitted to the Cabinet. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the
Minister of Power and Energy on the recommendation of the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, to lease the
relevant extent of land on a long-term lease basis for a period of 25 years to the Sustainable Energy
Authority, with relevant provisions to enable sub-leasing to a selected renewable energy developer.
04. Regularization of investigations conducted in relation to consumer complaints received by the
Consumer Affairs Authority
Legal provisions have been made to the Consumer Affairs Authority under the Consumer Affairs
Authority Act No. 9 of 2003 to intervene in consumer complaints. The Department of Measurement,
Standards and Services established by the Measurement Units, Standards and Services Act No. 35 of
1995 conducts market raids in collaboration with the Consumer Affairs Authority for the purpose of
protecting consumer rights. It was decided to grant the Cabinet approval for the program that the Minister
of Trade, Commerce and Food Security presented as one of the important steps to reduce the time and
effort spent on investigating customer complaints and giving decisions on them. The program planned by
the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security is consists of programs to educate consumers and
producers about protecting consumer rights and fair trade practices, to decentralize the investigation
system in relation to the said complaints and conduct it at the district level to enhance efficiency and
establishment of a National Operations Center for the purpose of carrying out tasks related to special
raids through a joint program.
05. Provision of facilities at Oluwil Fishing Port to TES (Private) Company Limited to carry out fish
processing activities
The cabinet has previously given approval to reactivate the unused fish processing plant in the Oluwil
fishing port premises and provide facilities to the TES (Private) Company Limited to run fish processing
activities. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of
Fisheries to lease the fish processing unit located in the Oluwil Ports Complex to TES (Private)
Company Limited for a period of 10 years subject to the relevant rent being charged monthly, as
recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee.
06. Increasing freshwater fish production by releasing fish fry into reservoirs
The freshwater fisheries and aquaculture sector plays an important role in the rural economy of Sri
Lanka, contributing greatly to increasing food security and nutrition as well as providing employment /
livelihood opportunities. Around 500 million fish fry should be continuously released into the reservoirs
annually for the production of economically effective fresh water fish with high growth in the reservoirs.
But due to insufficient depositing of fish fry, it has not been possible to fully utilize the potential of the
existing reservoirs for culture-based fisheries. In the year 2023, 230 million fish fry and 80 million
shrimp fingerlings were planned to be deposited in the reservoirs. But the plan had to be changed due to
the drying up of reservoirs due to the recent dry weather. Accordingly, by revising the said plan, a
proposal was submitted by the Minister of Fisheries to secure the necessary fund allocation to implement
the program to release 100 million fish fry and 50 million freshwater shrimp fingerlings into the reservoir
during the remaining period of this year. Taking into account the proposal, the Cabinet approved the
provision of additional allocation of 100 million rupees for those program.
07. Establishment of a new Commercial High Court
Achieving development goals requires taking necessary steps to maintain a better investment
environment in the country. Considering that situation, it has been identified the need of a new
Commercial High Court to ensure expeditious disposal of the existing backlog of commercial matters.
Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Prisons
Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to establish the said Commercial High Court at No.80, Justice
Avenue, Colombo 12 address.
08. Construction of 1996 units of houses under a donor programme of China government for low -
income generating people.
The Government of China has given its concurrence to finance a grant of Yuan 552 million to the
Government of Sri Lanka in order to construct 1,996 housing units as assistance for the urban restoration
project implemented as per the decision to house the residents of low - facility housing schemes within
the Western province in houses in the urban housing schemes with facilities. The Government of Sri
Lanka would be responsible for land development and supply of infrastructure facilities up to the site
limit. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Urban
Development and Housing to sign the agreement to the relevant project implementation with the
Government of China.
09. The establishment of 70 MW, AC ground mounted solar PV power plants in (1 – 5) MW, AC
capacity on build, own and operate basis.
Project proposals are called from prospective investors for the establishment of ground mounted solar PV
power plants of up to 70 megawatts of generated power units linked to the national electricity system
possessing a capacity of 1 – 5 megawatts, on build, own and operate basis enable to be linked to 11 grid
sub stations with a monitoring time frame of 20 years. Accordingly, based on the recommendations
submitted subsequent to evaluation of relevant proposals by the negotiation committee appointed by the
Cabinet of Ministers, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the proposal furnished by the
Minister of Electricity and Power for granting approval to the relevant investors to implement the
projects in relation to the 08 Grid Sub – Stations in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Galle, Habarana,
Kurunegala, Madampe, Mahawa, and Matara.
10. Draft bill on Stylistic Education Foundation (Incorporation)
Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. (Mrs.) Harini Amarasooriya has furnished the draft bill on the Stylistic
Education Foundation (Incorporation) as a personal proposal of a Parliamentarian. The fundamental draft
bill has been formally prepared by the Legal Draftsman and the clearance of the Attorney General has
been granted for the said draft bill. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the
proposal submitted by the Minister of Education to furnish a report to the Parliament recommending the
relevant draft bill in accordance with the standing orders 52 (6) of the Parliament.
11. Amendments to Mediation Boards Act No. 72 of 1988
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 27.02.2023 to amend the
Mediation Boards Act No. 72 of 1988 revising the provisions pertaining to appointment of members to
mediation boards commission, mediation board area and introducing several other revisions.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the draft bill prepared by the Legal
Draftsman. The approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted to the resolution furnished by the
Minister of Justice, Prison Activities and Constitutional Reforms therefore, to publish the said draft bill in
the government gazette notification and thereafter, table the same in the Parliament for its concurrence.
12. Draft bill for accepting and empowering international settlement conventions / accords that is
created through mediation.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 25.10.2022 to prepare a draft
bill to formulate laws applicable to empower UN convention of International Settlement Agreement
(Singapore convention on mediation) locally. Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been
received for the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman. The approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has
been granted to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice, Prison Activities and Constitutional
Reforms therefore, to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereafter,
table the same in the Parliament for its concurrence.
13. Draft of Pavithra Wanniarachchi Friendship Foundation (Incorporation) Bill
Draft of Pavithra Wanniarachchi Friendship Foundation (Incorporation) Bill has been submitted to the
Parliament as a personal proposal of a Parliamentarian by Hon. Member of Parliament, Lalith Ellawala.
The fundamental draft bill pertaining to it has been formally prepared by the Legal Draftsman and the
clearance of the Attorney General has been granted in the regard. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers
granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural
Affairs to furnish a report to the Parliament recommending the relevant draft bill in accordance with the
standing orders 52 (6) of the Parliament.
14. Appointment of a Board of Consultants for the Department of Community Based Corrections.
It has been recommended to appoint a consultancy board at the public accounts committee meeting held
on 09.06.2023, since, a continuous supervision and a follow up is required to perform the activities
carried out by the Department of Community Based Corrections implemented under the Ministry of
Justice, Prison Activities and Constitutional Reforms more effectively. Accordingly, the Cabinet of
Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice, Prison Activities and
Constitutional Reforms to appoint the proposed consultancy board chaired by the Secretary to the
Ministry of Justice, Prison Activities and Constitutional Reforms and comprised of other relevant heads
of institutions and eminencies in the field.
In the event of any inconsistency between the English translations of this document, the Sinhala
text shall prevail.
