01. Promotion of tourism industry for economic revival
It has been decided in the Cabinet meeting on 30.05.2023 to appoint a Ministerial sub-committee consisting
6 ministers headed by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Services to identify the existing obstacles
and opportunities to promote the tourism industry for economic revival and to make recommendations to the
Cabinet regarding the steps to be taken to remove those obstacles and utilize the existing opportunities in the
most effective manner. Accordingly, the minister of land and tourism submitted the report of the said
ministerial sub-committee with 25 recommendations and the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
implementation of recommendations therein.
02. Elections (Special Provisions) Bill
Cabinet approval has been given on 12.12.2022, to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981 to
take appropriate action in case of violation of the code of conduct by political parties/independent groups
and candidates contesting for an election and to establish special polling stations for specially identified
voters who cannot vote at the designated polling station on election day. Also, Cabinet approval has been
granted on 12.12.2022 to amend the Local Government Polls Ordinance, the Parliamentary Elections Act
and the Provincial Council Elections Act so that legal action can be taken in cases of violation of Media
Guidelines when an election has been declared. Legal Draftsman has commenced the preparation of bills in
this regard. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon. President to
advice the legal draftsman to prepare a bill to introduce a new Act including the respective amendments.
03. The Order under the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017
Under Act No. 12 of 2017, the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies has
periodically announced orders for the temporary suspension/restriction of outward remittances related to
certain capital transactions and mobile transfers, effective from April 2020, on the recommendation of the
Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The final order published in this regard on 22.12.2022 is scheduled to expire on
30.06.2023. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon. President in
his capacity as the Minister of Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies to issue an
order under the section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act No.12 of 2017, for the implementation of the said
order for another 6 months and then to submit this order to the Parliament for approval.
04. Revocation of the Bread Ordinance No. 13 of 1864
The Bread Ordinance No. 13 of 1864 was enacted to regulate the sale of bread and to prevent the mixing of
spoiled flour with bread offered for sale. In implementing the provisions of the Consumer Affairs Authority
Act No. 9 of 2003, some issues arise with certain provisions of that Ordinance. In the implementation of
the provisions of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003, some issues arise with certain provisions
of the Ordinance and it is identified that it is no longer necessary implement the said Ordinance. As such, the
Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Safety
to instruct the legal draftsman to prepare legislations to repeal the Act.
05. Amendment of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005.
Concurrence of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on 06.03.2018 to draft a bill
to amend the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005. Accordingly, the clearance of the
Attorney General has been received for the draft bill of the Prevention of Domestic (Amended) Violence Act
formulated by the Legal Draftsman. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution
furnished by the Hon President as the Minister of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment to publish
the draft bill in the government gazette notification and forward to the Parliament subsequently for their
approval.
06. Amendment of the acts of Parliamentary Elections, Presidential Elections, Provincial Council
Elections and the Local Government Elections Ordinance as per the provisions of the Elections
Expenditure Regulation Act No. 03 of 2023.
Requirement to make corresponding amendments to the acts of Parliamentary Elections, Presidential
Elections, Provincial Council Elections and the Local Government Elections Ordinance have been
recognized with the empowerment of the provisions of the Elections Expenditure Regulation Act No. 03 of
2023 and the concurrence of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted for those amendments at their meeting
held on 23.01.2023. accordingly, the clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the draft bill
prepared by the Legal Draftsman. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal
submitted by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to publish the relevant draft
bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently to table the same before the Parliament for the
concurrence.
07. Submission of the final budget situation report of the year 2022 to the Parliament
In terms of the provisions of section 13 of Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act No 3 of 2003, the Minister
in - charge of the subject of Finance may issue the final situation report on the budget prior to exceeding five
(05) months from the relevant financial year to the public whereas, to table the same before the Parliament
subsequently. Accordingly, the situation report on the budget of 2022 has been published in the website of
the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies. The Cabinet of Ministers approved
the resolution furnished by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic
Stabilization and National Policies to table the said report in the Parliament.
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In the event of any inconsistency between the Tamil and English translations of this document, the
Sinhala text shall prevail.
