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    Cabinet Decisions-  20.11.2023 Featured

    November 21, 2023

    Cabinet Decisions-  20.11.2023

    Decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers on 20.11.2023


    1. Introduction of mechanism for dispute prevention and dispute resolution in public
    service


    With the aim of introducing a mechanism similar to the private sector for the prevention
    and resolution of disputes in the public service, the Cabinet of Ministers in the meeting
    held on 16.11.2020 has approved the implementation of a pilot project for a mechanism
    based on the concepts of social dialogue, consultation, mediation and arbitration for
    preventing and resolving disputes in the Public Service. Accordingly, the relevant pilot
    project has been implemented in 4 workplaces in the field of health and transportation
    by obtaining technical financial support from the International Labor Organization. It
    has been confirmed that due to the operation of the pilot workplace forums established
    under the pilot project, cooperation between the concerned parties will develop and a
    basis for dispute prevention and dispute resolution will be created. Pilot workplace
    forums have been established under the pilot project. As a result of their operation, it has
    been found that cooperation between the concerned parties has developed and a
    foundation for dispute prevention and dispute resolution has been created. Accordingly
    the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Proposal presented by the Hon. Prime Minister in
    his capacity as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Council
    and Local Government to proceed as follows based on the success achieved by the
    implementation of the said pilot project.


     Establishment of workplace forums in government institutions.
     Establishment of sectoral forums comprising representatives of trade unions and
    management for Health, Transport, Ports and Shipping, Power and Energy,
    Education and other sectors.
     Establishment of National State Dialogue Forum comprising representatives of
    Trade Unions, relevant Ministries/Sectoral Councils, Director Generals of
    Institutions and representatives of the Departments of Management Services.
     Establishment of 09 Provincial Conciliation Boards at the provincial level.
     Establishment of a National Arbitration Pool under the Ministry of Public
    Administration.


    2. Entering into a partnership agreement between Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
    and Michigan State University of United States of America


    The two parties have agreed to enter into a partnership agreement between Rajarata
    University of Sri Lanka and Michigan State University, USA, with the aim of
    developing capacity, building research collaborations and developing innovations and
    grassroots level inputs related to sustainable agriculture. The proposed draft agreement
    has received the approval of the Ministry of foreign Affairs and the clearance of the

    Attorney General. As such the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by
    the Minister of Education to sign the proposed agreement.


    3. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Sri Lanka Press Council
    and Press Council of India


    A memorandum of understanding related to the development of knowledge and skills of
    journalists by conducting subject workshops and seminars, implementation of resource
    exchange programs between the two parties, activities related to the development of
    media ethics and the promotion of media freedom and peaceful use of media. for a
    period of 5 years was signed on 16.11.2018 between Sri Lanka Press Board and Indian
    Press Board for cooperation between the two parties. The period of the said MoU has
    now expired and it is planned to sign a new MoU for another 5 years. The proposed draft
    agreement has been approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . Accordingly the
    cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Mass Media to
    sign the MoU above.


    4. Revision of permissible Aflatoxin levels for food supplement programs including
    Triposha for children aged 6 months to 3 years


    Triphosha is provided under the Maternal and Child Health Program implemented by the
    Ministry of Health as a supplementary food for children with low nutritional level from
    6 months to 3 years of age and as an additional nutrient for pregnant and lactating
    mothers. But due to the stringent permissible limits for total Aflatoxins prescribed in the
    existing regulations under the Food Act No. 26 of 1980, it has become difficult to
    procure maize for the production of Triphosa. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers
    approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health to apply the limit of level
    5ppb for type B1 and level 10 ppb of total Aflatoxin in internationally recognized food
    supplements.


    5. To develop and maintain theOld " Cey - Bank Rest Building and Land" located at
    Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Nuwara Eliya.


    Competitive investment proposals have been invited from private sector investors to
    redevelop and maintain the old Cey-bank Rest building and land on Queen Elizabeth
    Mawatha, Nuwara Eliya, owned by the Urban Development Authority. After evaluating
    the proposals submitted, the Cabinet Appointed Standing Negotiation Committee has
    submitted its recommendation. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the
    proposal based on that recommendation of the said committee presented by the
    Minister of Urban Development to lease the property mentioned above to “Colonial
    Properties Private Limited” for a lease period of 50 years.


    06. The plan for the implementation of the agreement between the Democratic
    Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Israel on engaging Sri
    Lankan labour in service.


    Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on
    05.02.2020 to enter into an agreement with the Government of Israel for temporarily
    engaging Sri Lankan labour in precise labour market sectors in the State of Israel and to

    sign a basic document between the two parties in this regard. In terms of the said
    agreement, the Population, Immigration and Territory Authority of that country expects
    to recruit labour for agricultural activities of Israel. Accordingly, the notification
    submitted by the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment informing that the two
    parties signed the implementation plan on 06.11.2023 was taken into consideration by
    the Cabinet of Ministers


    07. Introduction of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission for electronic media.


    The resolution furnished by the Minister of Mass Media to prepare a broadcasting
    regulatory commission for electronic media with the objective of ensuring a precise
    media practice in order to safeguard the maximum freedom of speech and expression
    was taken for discussion at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 22.09.2022.
    At the meeting, a Cabinet Sub – Committee headed by the Minister of Justice, Prison
    Affairs and Constitutional Reforms was appointed for the submission of
    recommendations on the policy matters that should be taken into account when drafting
    the proposed bill, and the said sub - committee has prepared a fundamental draft with
    appropriate provisions that can be taken into consideration at the preparation of the draft
    bill of the proposed broadcasting regulatory commission. The Cabinet of Ministers
    granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Mass Media to direct the
    Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill based on the said fundamental draft.


    08. Draft Bill of Sri Lanka Electricity Act


    The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to introduce a new electricity act to cater to
    the contemporary socio – economic and administrative requirements when introducing
    institutional reformations for the electricity sector. Accordingly, clearance from the
    Attorney General has been received for the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.
    Therefore, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the proposal furnished by
    the Minister of Electricity and Power to publish the draft bill in the Government gazette
    and to subsequently furnish it to the Parliament for their concurrence.


    09. Discussions on the proposed Sri Lanka – Thailand Free Trade Agreement
    (SLTFTA)


    It is expected to sign the agreement on the proposed Sri Lanka – Thailand Free Trade
    Agreement (SLTFTA) on 03.02.2024, subsequent to the completion of the rounds of
    discussions in the regard by the month of December 2023. In concurrence with the
    agreements entered at rounds 06 and 07 of the said discussions, the Cabinet of Ministers
    decided to grant approval to the customs levy releasing programme of Sri Lanka which
    had been prepared to enable the release of 80% of the combined categorized serial
    numbers within a period of 15 years based on the combined categorized serial numbers
    of 2022, to partially release 5% of the combined categorized serial numbers within a
    period of 15 – 18 years, and to include the remaining 15% of the combined categorized
    serial numbers to the minus list, when the Hon. President submitted the same to them for
    their consent.

     

     10. Granting approval for Companies not under the Board of Investment but existing
    at present / Companies approved under section 16 of the Board of Investment Act
    No. 4 of 1978 under section 17 of the Board of Investment Act No. 4 of 1978.


    It has been observed that much investor attraction has been received for investing in the
    entities that had not been under the Sri Lanka Board of Investment after they had been
    taken under the Board. Especially with the recognition and the security their enterprises
    may receive, foreign investors are encouraged to enter into agreements with the Sri
    Lanka Board of Investment. Accordingly, an order has been enforced by the
    extraordinary gazette notification dated 01.06.2023 in terms of the powers vested with
    the subject Minister of Investment Promotions under section 24 of the Board of
    Investment Act; introducing provisions so that Sri Lanka Board of Investment is eligible
    for taking action. The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal submitted
    by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotion to submit
    the said order to the Parliament for its concurrence.

     

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    In the event of any inconsistency between the Tamil and English translations of this document,
    the Sinhala text shall prevail.

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