1. Establishment of an independent regulatory body for the betterment of the film and
television industry
The State Film Corporation was established under the State Film Corporation Act No. 47 of 1971
for the Promotion of Domestic Cinema and was renamed as the National Film Corporation in
1980. The film industry is facing a severe setback due to various problems and it has been
recognized that there is a need to establish an independent regulatory agency to revive the film
industry. Also, for the advancement of the television industry, it appears desirable to have an
independent body to provide guidance and regulate the industry. Taking into account the proposal
made by the Minister of Mass Media, the Cabinet approval was granted to take necessary steps
to establish an independent regulatory agency to provide necessary facilities and guidance for the
development of the cinema and television industry.
2. National Policy and Strategic Framework for the Prevention and Control of Chronic
Noncommunicable Diseases in Sri Lanka
Diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes are the major
causes of death due to non-communicable diseases in Sri Lanka. These diseases cause around
120,000 deaths every year. Tobacco use, unhealthy alcohol consumption, obesity, high blood
pressure, high blood sugar and high blood cholesterol have been identified as the main
contributing factors to these diseases. The first national policy for prevention of noncommunicable diseases was published in 2009. The new revised policy has been drafted in
consultation with all relevant parties by evaluating and reviewing the policy published in 2009.
The revised National Policy and Strategic Framework for the Prevention and Control of Chronic
Noncommunicable Diseases in Sri Lanka has been prepared accordingly. The cabinet of Ministers
approved the proposal made by the Minister of Health to publish the revised strategic framework
and national policy in the Government Gazette and to implement it.
3. Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly on 10.09.1996. By the treaty, member states agreed to ban "any nuclear weapons test
or other nuclear explosion" anywhere in the world. So far, 186 countries have signed the
agreement and 177 countries have ratified the agreement. Sri Lanka signed the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on 24.10.1996. Sri Lanka is currently cooperating with the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization in the areas of training, capacity
development, data and information sharing. Sri Lanka's ratification of the treaty would recognize
Sri Lanka's diplomatic role as an active proponent of international peace and security in a world
free of nuclear weapons. Also, this will enable us to obtain useful data for civil and scientific
purposes that will benefit many developing countries including Sri Lanka, such as tsunami
warnings, climate change and geographical studies. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers
approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Sri Lanka to ratify the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and to take the necessary steps for legislation to enforce
the provisions of the said agreement.
4. Under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007, update of orders applicable to company
secretaries
All services are provided online by the Registrar General of Companies Department and in order
to formalize the provision of those services, it has been recognized the need to amend the
directives regarding company secretaries issued by the minister in charge under the provisions of
the Companies Act No. 17 of 1982. Accordingly, Taking into consideration the views and
suggestions of the relevant stakeholders and the advisory committee, the revised orders related to
company secretaries have been published by Gazette Notification No. 2323/41 dated 17.03.2023.
The proposal presented by the Minister of Industries to submit the said amended orders to
Parliament for approval was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
5. The order published under the provisions of the Measurement Units, Standards and
Services Act No. 35 of 1995
The main functions of the Measurement Units, Standards and Services Department are to maintain
national measurement standards in Sri Lanka in accordance with international standards, provide
measurement services for various fields, and ensure fairness through measurement-based
regulatory and service activities. The National Metrology Laboratory was established under subsection 3(b) of the Act accordingly. By Gazette Notification No. 2294/54 dated 26.08.2022, the
Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Safety has announced the post of Metrology Inspection
Officer with effect from 16.06.2022 for the activities of the research laboratory. The cabinet of
Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Safety
to present the said order in parliament for approval.
6. Rationalization of Value Added Tax Exemptions and Abolition of Simplified Value Added
Tax System
Two major reformations in regard to the Value Added Tax (VAT) should be introduced according
to the comprehensive funding facility of the International Monitory Fund. Under that, removing
most of the releases, the reformation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) scheme and cancellation of
the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) methodology should be applied. Approximately 1.2%
of the gross domestic product from the tax income can be increased by reactivating the logic of
the existing release of Value Added Tax (VAT). Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted
concurrence to the resolution forwarded by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and
National Policies to remove most of the releases from Value Added Tax (VAT), further retaining
releases that ease the pressure on low - income families to secure the fundamental sectors of the
economy as well as the releases for sectors such as education, health and agriculture, as well as
to revise the provisions applicable for the Value Added Tax (VAT) act so that the Simplified
Value Added Tax (SVAT) methodology can be canceled with effect from 01.01.2024 by
introducing a more formal methodology for repaying the Value Added Tax (VAT) and to instruct
the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill for the purpose.
07. Draft a bill on contempt of a court, a tribunal or an institution
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 27.06.2022 for
introducing legal enactments on “contempt of court” which includes the clear and precise
provisions and situational circumstances regarding the offense of “contempt of court”, defense
and easing the penalty as well as the procedure to follow when easing the penalty. Accordingly,
clearance from the Attorney General has been granted for the draft bill prepared by the Legal
Draftsman. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the
Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms for publishing the aforementioned
draft bill in the government gazette, and subsequently to be tabled in the Parliament for its
concurrence.
08. Enhancing the general wastewater refinery of the Export Processing Zone of
Horana.
The public experiences constraints of releasing the wastewater to the adjoining cannels due to
insufficient containing capacity of the general wastewater refinery in operation at present at the
Horana Export Processing Zone. Therefore, the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka has been
requested even by the local government institutions to accelerate the construction of the
wastewater refinery with a capacity of 2000 cubic meters per day under enhancing the general
wastewater refinery in the Horana Export Processing Zone. The Board of Directors of the Board
of Investment has agreed to implement this project utilizing its funds. Therefore, the Cabinet of
Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister
of Investment Promotion to implement the improvements of the general wastewater refinery at
the Horana Export Processing Zone utilizing Sri Lankan rupees 1,110 million from the funds of
the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.
09. Awarding the contract for repairing the Honeywell APUs of Sri Lankan Airlines
Bids have been called through a limited international competitive bid calling methodology for
repairing the Honeywell Additional Power Units (APUs) of Sri Lankan Airlines. Consequently,
three bids have been received. Based on the recommendations of the technical evaluation
committee and the standing procurement committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers, the
Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and
Aviation to award the contract for repairing Honeywell Additional Power Units (APUs) of the Sri
Lankan Airlines to Honeywell International SARL who submitted the minimum price quotation
for an estimated sum of US dollars 15.3 million for a period of 02 years.
10. Reducing the prices of essential drugs
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority established under the National Medicines
Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 is responsible for regulating all matters related to
imposing prices of medicines. Considering the depreciation of Sri Lankan Rupee compared to the
US dollar, the Ministry of Health has given consent to escalate the maximum retail price of
medicines up to 97% in several instances. As a result of the economic stabilization programme
implemented by the government at present, the value of the US dollar has considerably declined.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal raised by the Minister of Health to
reduce the maximum retail price of 60 medicines by 16% with effect from 15.06.2023 and review
the price of medicines every three months.
*****
In the event of any inconsistency between the Tamil and English translations of this
document, the Sinhala text shall prevail.
