02.    Utilization of Mahaweli Economic zones for renewable energy generation (Document No – 10)

Sri Lanka is bound to reduce emission of greenhouse gases as a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Energy generation plays a major role in this regard. The government has accepted the necessity of shifting to renewable energy sources such as wind power, hydropower and solar power instead of thermal power plants that use fossil fuel such as diesel and coal. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to approve as a policy the establishment of renewable power plants in lands, reservoirs and canals that could not be used for agricultural activities and to appoint a Committee of Officials to propose a suitable method in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

03.    Amendment of the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No. 28 of 1996 (Document No – 14)

The above act provides the legal framework for protection of rights of persons with disabilities. Sri Lanka has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 08th February 2016. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. S.B. Dissanayake, Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare, to amend the above act with the view of secure 30 rights including common principles in the said convention in Sri Lanka and to establish an Independent Commission instead of the current National Council established under the above act for providing a better service to persons with disabilities, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

04.    Commencement of public-private joint ventures for expansion of domestic production of medicines (Document No – 16)

A large portion of medicine requirement of Sri Lanka is imported to Sri Lanka causing a great expenditure annually for the government. It has been proposed to commence public-private joint ventures for production of medicine as a solution to this issue. The proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, to encourage investors to begin joint ventures with the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation to produce quality medicines at a low cost as recommended by the Committee of Officials appointed to consider this matter, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

05.    Establishment of a marine finfish/shellfish hatchery for research activities (Document No – 23)

The proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to transfer a land of 05 acres in Kandakuliya area in Kalpitiya to the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) for establishment of a finfish/shellfish hatchery to improve the commercial breeding and culture technology of crabs, sea cucumbers, bivalves, and other finfish and shellfishes with a high demand, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

06.    Formulation of a long-term national fisheries policy and action plan (Document No – 24)

The proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to implement a 3 year project under technical assistance of Norway with the view of formulating a national policy and action plan for development of the fishery in Sri Lanka, implement foreign training programmes for fishery officials, and to promote Norwegian government investments in the fisheries industry in Sri Lanka, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

07.    Central Expressway – Obtaining consulting services for construction supervision of section from Mirigama to Kurunegala (Document No – 31)

The second section of Central Expressway runs from Mirigama to Kurunegala with a length of 39.29 km. The proposal made by Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Higher Education and Highways, to award the above contract as recommended by Cabinet Appointed Consultant Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

08.    Entry into three (03) term contracts to purchase of refined petroleum products (Document No – 36)

Contracts for purchase of refined petroleum products have been expired and Sri Lanka Petroleum Corporation has called quotations from registered suppliers for 03 long term contracts to purchase all petroleum products under long term tenders. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, to award the said 03 long term contracts for the period of 01-12-2016 to 31-07-2017 as recommended by the Special Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

09.    Second anniversary of the President's inauguration in office (Document No – 38)

The second anniversary of the President's inauguration in office falls on 08th January 2017 is to be celebrated without unnecessary festivals and displays and all public institutions have been instructed to commence projects that can be implemented immediately under 2017 budget proposals and to commence development activities that are more fruitful to the public in line with this celebration. Above information was presented to the Cabinet of Ministers by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena.