1. Declaration of “Nedungamuwe Raja” Tusker as a national heritage.
‘Nedungamuwe Raja’ Tusker who served as the ceremonial tusker carrying the casket of
the pageant of the Temple of the Tooth for 13 times from the year 2005 to 2021 as well
as have participated in numerous pageants in a number of pioneer religious places around
the island passed away on the 07.03.2022. By now measures are being taken to conserve
the body of the deceased tusker. Considering the invaluable service and contribution
rendered by this tusker, Nedungamuwe Rajah, the Hon. Prime Minister as the Minister of
Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs submitted a proposal to declare this
“Nedungamuwe Raja” as a national heritage and the Cabinet of Ministers granted
approval for the same.
2. Implementation of a digital gateway / access for the passengers departing from
platform one of Katunayake Bandaranayake International Airport.
The Airport and Aviation (Sri Lanka) (Limited) Company has planned to perform several
multiple extensions in order to enhance efficiency of the monitoring activities of
Katunayake Bandaranayake International Airport. Accordingly, it has been proposed to
implement a pilot project for introducing a digital gateway / access for the passengers
depart across platform one based on the concept ‘One Identity’ of the International
Aviation Association under the same. Accordingly, check on of the passengers will be an
easy process to complete through confirming that they possess a valid digital passport for
the identification of the passenger by installation of electronic door / face recognition
machines at the access point of departure longue. The Cabinet of Ministers granted
approval to implement a pilot project in the regard as per the resolution furnished by the
Minister of Tourism.
3. Submission of regulations issued under Import and Export (Control) Act No. 1 of
1969 to the Parliament for its approval.
Regulations of Import and Export (Control) No. 06 of 2022 under the Import and Export
(Control) Act No. 1 of 1969 has been published in the extraordinary gazette notification
No.2274/42 dated 09.04.2022 in order to control import of selected inessential and non –
emergency goods with effect from 10 th March 2022. The Cabinet of Ministers approved
the proposal submitted by the Minister of Finance to furnish the said regulations to the
Parliament for its approval.
4. Amendment of National Water Supply and Drainage Board Act No. 2 of 1974.
The requirement to amend the National Water Supply and Drainage Board Act No. 2 of
1974 to face the contemporary and future challenges in the water supply sector has been
recognized. Approval has been granted at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on
the 12.07.2021 to appoint a committee headed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Water
Supply in order to formulate a draft bill for the purpose. The Cabinet of Ministers granted
approval for the proposal furnished by the Minister of Water Supply to direct the Legal
Draftsman to formulate a draft bill based on the preliminary draft already prepared by the
said Committee.
5. Submission of the Annual Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year
2021.
The finance board has submitted the annual report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for
the year 2021 to Hon. Minister of Finance on 29.04.2022. In terms of the provisions of
the Finance Law the annual report has to be tabled in the Parliament by the Minister of
Finance within 14 days from the date of receipt of the annual report if Parliamentary
sessions are held. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Finance to submit the annual report of the Central
Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2021 to the Parliament.
6. Gazette Notification published under Sri Lanka Export Development Act No 40 of
1979
Several new HS National sub Divisions have been created to facilitate products that are
internationally compliant, taking into account proposals made by various institutions.
These subdivisions were published in the gazette dated 11.01.2022in accordance with the
provisions of Revenue Protection Act No.19 of 1962 and then issued as an Order by the
Minister of Trade under Sri Lanka Export Development Act No. 40 of 1979 with the
concurrence of the Minister of Finance. Accordingly the cabinet of Ministers approved
the proposal presented by the Minister of Trade to submit the aforesaid notice in the
Government Gazette dated 11.01.2022 to Parliament for approval.
7. Providing relief to low income families who are distressed due to the current
economic crisis in the country.
Low income families entitled to Samurdhi, Elderly, Kidney and Disability Allowances
have been severely affected by the current economic crisis in the country. The
Government has identified the need for immediate relief to those families and their
families on the waiting list. Contingent Emergency Response Component in projects
funded by the World Bank Group will provide the necessary funding for that.
Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposals presented by the Minister of
Finance and Minister of Samurdhi regarding the special cash allowance to provide the
relevant relief to the identified families from May to July;
8. Procurement for Purchase of Refined Petroleum Products
Bids have been invited for four procurements to purchase diesel and petrol under the
USD 200 million short-term loan facility provided of the Export-Import Bank of India.
Accordingly the cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of
Power to award this contract to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd upon the recommendation of
Cabinet Appointed Special Standing Procurement Committee.
9. Appointment of Cabinet Sub-Committee on Cost of Living
The Cabinet of Ministers decided to appoint a Subcommittee chaired by the President and
comprised of the Prime Minister, Ministers and State Ministers to provide the necessary
policy and practical solutions to keep the cost of living stable.
10. Identifying expeditious investment opportunities
The Cabinet decided to set up a Sub-Committee comprising of the following Ministers to
identify investment opportunities that have the potential to attract foreign investment
expeditiously as a solution to the current foreign exchange crisis in the country.
i. Hon. (Dr). Nalaka Godahewa
Minister of Mass Media - (Chairman)
ii. Hon. Dilum Amunugama
Minister of Transports and Industries
iii. Hon. Kanchana Wijesekara
Minister of Power and Energy
iv. Hon. Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon
Minister of Ports and Shipping
v. Hon. Lohan Rathwatte
State Minister of Urban Development
11. Report of the Expert Committee appointed to draft a new Constitution
The Cabinet of Ministers has decided on 09.09.2020 to appoint a committee consisting of
legal experts under the chairmanship of President's Counsel Romesh de Silva to draft a
new constitution. The preliminary report of the committee has been submitted to the
President on 25.04.2022. The Cabinet decided to appoint a Sub-Committee consisting of
the following Ministers to study the contents of the report and make appropriate
recommendations to the Cabinet.
i. Hon. (Prof). G.L. Peiris
Minister of Foreign Affairs - (Chairman)
ii. Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena
Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and
Local Government
iii. Hon. Douglas Devananda
Minister of Fisheries
iv. Hon. (Dr) Ramesh Pathirana
Minister of Education and Plantation Industries
v. Hon. Ali Sabri
Minister of Finance and Justice
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