01. Extending the time of the Committee appointed for submission of recommendations for formalizing the state bank system to harvest efficient service from them to strengthen the national economy.
Approval had been granted at the meeting of the cabinet of ministers held on the 22nd July 2020 for the appointment of a committee for the submission of recommendations applicable for formalizing and making efficient the state banking system within three (03) months to strengthen the national economy. The role of
the committee could not be concluded as expected due to the situation prevailing in the country at present. Therefore, the cabinet of ministers has approved the proposal submitted by the Hon. Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance for extending the period of the above committee for another 03 months commencing from 18th November 2020.
02. Extending the period of validity of the regulation issued under section 22 of the foreign exchange act No. 12 of 2017 in regard to outflow of foreign
exchange from the country.
Approval of the cabinet of ministers was granted at the meeting held on the 24th June 2020 for the issuance of a regulation valid for 06 months under section 22 of the foreign exchange act No. 12 of 2017 for imposing regulations for limitation of capital transactions causing flow of foreign exchange out of the country.
Accordingly, the regulation mentioned above has been imposed by the gazette notification dated 02nd July 2020 whereas its valid period is scheduled to be ended from 01st of January 2021. It is apparent the imposed period is appropriate to be extended from another 06 months. Therefore, the cabinet of ministers has approved
the resolution submitted by the Hon. Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance for taking necessary actions regarding the matter.
03. Submission of the issued gazette notifications to the Parliament for the approval.
The cabinet of ministers has approved the resolution submitted by the Hon. Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance for submission of six (06) gazette notifications published under special commodities tax act No. 48 of 2007, one (01) gazette notification published under the revenue protection act No. 19 of 1962 and one (01) gazette notification relevant to imposing a tariff surplus subject to the provisions of the customs ordinance applicable for imported fuel to the Parliament.
04. Acquisition of the land called ‘48 Watte’ where Singhapura apartment complex project is situated to the Urban Settlement Development Authority.
Housing facilities under Singhapura apartment complex project has been provided under two phases within a plot of land in extent of 0.4423 hectares in the village of
Wanathamulla of Thimbirigasyaya divisional secretariat division, for 120 low - income families living amidst minimum facilities within the greater Colombo
municipality. The housing programme has been implemented by an establishment called Real Estate Exchange (Pvt.) Limited under the subject ministry of housing,
and has spent rupees 174.15 million of budgetary allocations for the purpose. Therefore, the cabinet of ministers has granted their approval to the proposal of the minister of urban development and housing for transferring the plot of land to the urban development authority as a free grant to enable issuance of deeds to those low – income families entrusted with the relevant houses.
05. Construction of the administrative complex of Polonnaruwa
Approval of the cabinet of ministers was granted at the meeting held on the 18th October 2016 for the construction of the administrative complex of Polonnaruwa. The building been constructed under the supervision of the Urban Development Authority while rupees 1,018 million has been spent on this building and it has been planned to accommodate 19 government and semi – government institutions in this building complex. Another rupees 265 million has been estimated to be spent for completion of its construction activities comprised of affixing air conditioner systems, installation of electricity generators, completion of remaining work of the auditorium as well as landscaping. Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers approved the proposal tabled by the minister of urban development and housing for allocation of required provisions to the state ministry of urban development, coastal conservation, waste disposal and community cleanliness for the completion of construction work of the said building.
06. Providing relief to those been affected due to Weras ganga rain water harvesting and environment improvement project.
Construction work of Weras ganga rain water harvesting and environment improvement project was inaugurated in 2013 with the objective of flood control in
Colombo and suburbs, improvement of environmental systems, conservation of wetlands, conservation of sanctuaries as well as expanding the cannel system. Actions have been taken to compensate 80% of the Department of Valuation recommended value for the buildings and other constructions which are affected by
the said project and to pay a housing rental for obtaining transitional / temporary housing facilities for a period of 06 months for whose residences are totally evacuated under the project. The lands required for the project have been acquired by now and the construction work is scheduled to be concluded by the year 2020.
The cabinet of ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Hon. Prime Minister as the minister of urban development and housing for the further payment
of housing rental paid for residing in transitional houses further for an additional period until compensation is paid at a time the payment of statutory compensation
decided for them is delayed more than 06 months due to unavoidable reasons and to pay 100% of the total estimated amount recommended by the Department of Valuation for the housing constructions and other constructions those are totally evacuated due to the construction.
07. Increasing the sports schools, development of infrastructure facilities in the sports schools as well as increasing the sports scholarship nutrition allowances and other allowances.
Measures have been taken in the year 1989 to inaugurate sports schools in all the districts covering each district of the island. A programme has been planned collectively by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sports in order to implement the concept more productively. Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers
approved the following consolidated resolutions submitted by the minister of
Education along with the minister of youth and sports.
Development of infrastructure facilities in 26 existing sports schools.
Development of the following schools as special sports schools.
i. Inauguration and development of a new bi - lingual national school named ‘Cricket Sports School’ within the premises of Sooriyawewa International Cricket Stadium and enrol students to grade six (6) from the year 2021.
ii. Development of Pelwatte Navodya School as an athletic / Volleyball sports school
iii. Development of Mahinda Rajapaksha Vidyalaya, Pitipana for athletic games
iv. Development of Murunkan Maha Vidyalaya, Mannar for football / athletic games.
Construction of new school hostels in the sport schools and development of the existing hostels
Increase of sports scholarships and other allowances to suit the current requirements.
8. Establishment of a National Policy for the Collection of Data and Information Classified by Gender and Age
The difficulty in obtaining information on gender and age groups with the exception of a limited number of census and surveys by the Department of Census and Statistics and the surveys of the health sector has become an issue in the policy and planning process. This information is essential for identifying government-prioritized needs, especially in the field of child and women's development, understanding their trends and determining plans and strategies for addressing them. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Education to make it compulsory to collect information based on gender and age group in all census, surveys and studies conducted by Ministries, Departments and Statutory Institutions under its purview
9. Delivery of diving license and vehicle number plates to the client-public through a Speed Post courier service
The vehicle registration certificate, vehicle number plates and a sticker are issued. When registering a vehicle, In order to obtain them under the existing system, one has to come to the department spending considerable time and expense. There seems to be some delay in sending new driver's licenses by registered mail to clients. As a solution to this, the Minister proposed to implement a suitable program in collaboration with the Postal Department to deliver them to the client's home under the express courier
service implemented by the Postal Department. The proposal was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
10. Issuing commemorative stamps for the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka-Singapore Diplomatic Relations
The Department of Posts, Sri Lanka and Singapore institute of Post have agreed to issue two stamps each to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka-Singapore diplomatic relations. it is planned to create the stamps under the theme "Marine Biodiversity Conservation" a common theme for the both countries and to exchange
4000 stamps and 1000 commemorative leaflets between the two parties. Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Mass Media to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
11. Implementation of livestock development projects for the year 2021
The State Ministry of Livestock, Farm Promotion and Dairy and Egg Related Industries plans to implement “Soubhagya” Dairy Development program and the "Dairy
Development Centers" project in 2021 to increase local milk production. Activities such as improving animal breeding, improving animal nutrition, improving animal health
conditions and creating eco-friendly farms through animal waste management are planned under the “Soubhagya” Dairy Development Program. The Dairy Development Centers Establishment Project aims to develop the milk value chain process by upgrading artificial insemination centers, providing the necessary inputs and training,
and networking veterinary offices. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal by the Minister of Agriculture to allocate provisions within the 2021-2023 Medium Term Budget Framework for the implementation of these projects
12. Improving and conserving the National Art Gallery
Cabinet approval has been obtained on several occasions for the renovation of the National Art Gallery. Although approval has been given on 21.08.2018 to allocate Rs. 42 million for this purpose, the relevant renovations have not been made. Main building of the Art Gallery is in a dilapidated condition due to water leaking from the main gutter that was installed to drain the rainwater and it needs to be repaired immediately. Accordingly the cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister
of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to obtain the services of the Sri Lanka Navy and carry out the relevant repairs of the National Art Gallery.
13. “Suraksha” Student Insurance 2020/2021
Proposals have been invited from government-owned insurance companies to for “Suraksha” student insurance. Only Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation has submitted
proposals for this. Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Education to award this Procurement to the Sri Lanka
Insurance Corporation as per the recommendation of the Procurement Committee following the negotiations with the Insurance Corporation of Sri Lanka.
14. Contract of supplying and distributing 2000 km of Aerial Bundle Cable Alu (ABC) 230/400V3x70+54.6+ 26mm2
Competitive bids are called for supplying aerial bundle cables for distribution zone 2 of the Ceylon Electricity Board. Accordingly the cabinet of Ministers approved the
proposal presented by Hon. Minister of power to award the contract of supplying and distributing 2000 km of Aerial Bundle Cable Alu (ABC) 230/400V3x70+54.6+ 26mm2 to
M/s ACL Cables PLC institute upon the recommendation of cabinet appointed standing procurement committee.
15. Awarding the long term contract of Petrol Import for a period of 08 months from 01.12.2020 to 31.07.2021.
Bids are called from the registered suppliers of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to import 1,564,500+10-5% barrels of petrol (Unl) and 535,500+10/-5% barrels of petrol
(95 Unl) for a period of 08 months from 01.12.2020 to 31.07.2021. Accordingly, the proposal submitted by the Minister of Energy to award the relevant
procument to M/s BB Energy (Asia) pte.Ltd., Singapore, as recommended by the Standing Committee on Procument appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers, was approved
by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. Construction of Kaluthara New Court Complex
Kaluthara Court Complex which is already being operated within a land and buildings that has an archeological value and the Ministry of Justice has been endowed a plot of
land in extent of 1.064 hectares to build New Court Complex under the Kaluthara Urban Development Project. Therefore the proposal tabled by the Minister of Justice to offer the
consultancy service of the construction of New Court Complex to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
17. Appointing of a committee to investigate the irregularities in the Grand Hyatt Project.
The Grand Hyatt Hotel Project is implemented by the Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, which is a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Employees’ Provident Fund and Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. The hotel was scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2016 afterwards the completion of construction. Provided that most of the agreements signed by the
previous government were terminated by the new board of directors of the Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd which was appointed following the 2015 presidential election without any justifiable reason and has been entered into agreements with new contractors for aforementioned work phases. Therefore, some companies have initiated legal
proceedings and it has been decided that the Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd shall pay approximately a sum of 1.8 Billion as compensation. The current cost of the the project, which was originally planned to be completed at an estimated cost of 30 Billion Rupees, is re estimated to be around 60 Billion Rupees. Approval was granted by the Cabinet of
Ministers for proposal tabled by the Hon. Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance to appoint a committee to investigate whether the government has incurred a financial loss as it appears that the situation has arisen due to the irregularities committed by the previous management of the Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
18. Awarding the contract to construct 27.7KM long tunnel as the part of the 95.86 KM long North Central Great Canal Project.
It has been planned to construct a 27.7KM tunnel from Koduruwawa to Namalpura via the conserved forests and sanctuaries in Girithale and Hurulu as a package of Mahaweli Water Security Investment Programme which is implemented under the funds of Asian Development Bank. International competitive bids have been invited to select a suitable contractor. Accordingly, Approval for proposal tabled by the Minister of Irrigation to award the relevant contract to the China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd as recommended by the Standing Committee on Procument appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers was granted by the Cabinet of Ministers.
