01. Joint Statement of Intent between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka for
cooperation in the field of animal husbandry and dairying
It has been proposed to sign a joint declaration of intent between the Government of India and the
Government of Sri Lanka to work together to achieve the goals of improving the quality of dairy products in
Sri Lanka, making the country self-sufficient in milk production and increasing the income of small scale
dairy farmers. The Attorney General's clearance has been received for the Joint Declaration of Intent that
has been drafted for this. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the combined proposal presented
by the Hon. President and the Minister of Agriculture to sigh the said joint declaration of intent.
02. Proposed Preferential Trade Agreement with Indonesia
Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, has been identified as a trade partner with suitable
potential to build profitable trade relations for Sri Lanka. As such the Cabinet of Ministers approved the
proposal presented by the Hon. President, to enter into a preferential trade agreement as a preliminary step
to reach a long term free trade agreement with Indonesia.
03. National Water Resources Policy and Implementation Management Mechanism
At present Sri Lanka is included in the category of countries most affected by climate change in the world
due to severe climate change conditions over the last decade. Due to this situation, it can be seen that the
monsoon rainfall has decreased in the dry areas of the island and the rainfall in the wet zone has increased
respectively. Because of this, the people have to face the unexpected severe droughts and floods. In the
background of such uncontrollable climate change, managing the island's limited water resources for
drinking, irrigation, energy and service needs is becoming an extremely complicated process. Therefore,
introducing a more pragmatic water resources policy has become a top national demand. Accordingly, the
National Water Resources Policy and Implementation Management Mechanism has been Prepared by the
expert committee representing the relevant fields and chaired by Professor C.M. Mr. Maddumabandara, a
former Vice-Chancellor of Peradeniya University. As such the National Water Resources Policy and
Implementation Management Mechanism prepared in corporation with the Prime Minister’s Office which
was presented for cabinet approval by the Prime Minister received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.
04. Grant of the land at Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 02, leased to the Governing Council of Sri
Jinaratana Educational Institutions
For the land being used by the Sri Jinaratana Educational Institute during the implementation of the Beira
lake restoration project, a portion of Perches 45 land located in Sir, James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 2 has
been given to that institution for educational purposes on an annual rental basis for a lease period of 99
years. The said request has been approved by the Management Board of the Urban Development Authority
on 06.04.2023. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of
Urban Development and Housing to grant that land to the Governing Council.
05. Updated National Physical Planning Policy and the Plan 2048
The Cabinet has given approval on 02.01.2020 to update the National Physical Plan of Sri Lanka and the
“National Physical Planning Policy and the Plan 2048” has been prepared accordingly. This “National
Physical Planning Policy and the Plan 2048” has been prepared based on the proposals made by the
President's Throne Speech and Budget Speech, the Government's policy framework and data updated by
various agencies and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report 2021, with the advice of the
Industrial Advisory Committee constituted under the provisions of the Town and Village Planning
(Amendment) Act No. 49 of 2000 and input from all relevant parties. The plan has been approved by the
Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on National Physical Planning and the National Physical
Planning Council. Accordingly, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted for the implementation of
the “Updated National Physical Planning Policy and the Plan 2048“presented by the Minister of Urban
Development and Housing.
06. Memorandum of Understanding for obtaining satellite technology based Oil Spill Monitoring Service
Due to the growth of the shipping industry and port development, the number of ships sailing in Sri Lankan
waters is increasing. Therefore, it is recognized that it is necessary to establish a system to quickly obtain
information about oil spills caused by ships. With such a system, it will be possible to take quick measures
to prevent marine pollution caused by ships, identify the responsible ships and take relevant legal actions.
Accordingly, as a pilot project, the Ministry of Economics and Finance, France has agreed to provide a grant
of 601,810 euros through the Collected Localization Satellites (CLS). The clearance of the Attorney General
has been received for the draft Memorandum of Understanding prepared for this purpose and the Cabinet of
Ministers approved the Proposal presented by the Minister of Urban Development and Housing to sign this
Memorandum of Understanding accordingly.
07. Providing a portion of land in the Malabe Information Technology Park for the establishment of the
laboratory of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution
03 acre plot of land within the Malabe Information Technology Park has been allocated to establish the
laboratory of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. The amount spent by the Urban Development Authority to
acquire that plot of land has already been paid by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. Accordingly, after
taking into consideration the proposal presented by the Minister of Urban Development and Housing, the
Cabinet of Ministers approved the transfer of the said land to the Sri Lanka Standards Institution through a
Deed of Transfer.
08. Restructuring of Co-operative Wholesale Establishment
Taking into account the fact that the desired objectives of establishing the Cooperative Wholesale
Establishment have not been achieved and the establishment is not contributing effectively to the economy
of the country, the need to restructure Sathosa has been recognized. Accordingly, the cabinet of Ministers
approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security to appoint an
operational monitoring committee to carry out the activities related to the restructuring of the Cooperative
Wholesale Establishment and to implement the proposed restructuring process.
09. Civil Aviation Aeronautical Service Provider (Air Navigation and Aviation Security) Licensing
Regulations No. 01 of 2023.
Civil Aviation Aeronautical Service Provider (Air Navigation and Aviation Security) Licensing Regulations
No. 01 of 2023, issued in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act No. 14 of 2010, have
been published in Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2326/16 dated 03.04.2023. These regulations have
been issued to regulate the provision of air navigation and air security services in order to ensure that Sri
Lanka's aeronautics and airspace are maintained for safe flight operations in accordance with the standards
and recommended practices set out in the annexes of the International Civil Aviation Convention. As such,
the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Civil
Aviation to present these orders in parliament for approval.
10. Amendment of the Act on Authorities on Sri Lanka Ports No. 51 of 1979
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on 02.01.2023 to amend the Sri
Lanka Ports Authority Act No. 51 of 1979. Accordingly, the clearance of the Attorney General has been
granted for the draft bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted
approval for the resolution furnished by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation to publish the said
draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereafter submit it to the Parliament for their
concurrence.
11. Regulation under sub section (2) of section 29a of Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978
Section 29A (2) of the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 states that the monetary value of of all actions
specified in the Seventh Schedule to which the Small Claims Court has exclusive original civil jurisdiction
shall be fixed by the Finance Minister from time to time. The value assigned to that court was up to 1.5
million rupees excluding interest. The minister of justice has published an order in Extraordinary Gazette
No. 2328/16, dated 21.04.2023 to fix the monetary value of all actions specified in the Seventh Schedule as
a sum of rupees two million or not exceeding a sum of rupees two million, excluding interest. Accordingly
the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and
Constitutional Reforms to present this regulation in the parliament for approval.
12. Draft Bill for revising the approved loan limitation for the year 2023.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 28.06.2023 for revising the loan
limitation approved for the year 2023. Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated a draft bill to
amend the appropriation act No. 43 of 2022 and the clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for
the purpose. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution forwarded by the Hon. President in
his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies to publish the said
draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereafter table the said in the Parliament for its
concurrence.
13. Mid year financial situation report
In terms of section 10 of Public Finance Management (Responsibility) Act No. 03 of 2003, the Minister in -
charge of the subject of Finance should issue the report on the mid - year financial situation by the end of
June of each financial year and thereafter, the report should be tabled in the Parliament. Accordingly, the
mid – year financial situation report has been published on the website of the Ministry of Finance,
Economic Stabilization and National Policies. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution forwarded
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.
14. Enrolling the 07th batch under the interest free student loan scheme.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 24.04.2023 for enrolling the 07th
batch under the interest free student loan scheme to undergo undergraduate courses in non - government
universities. The concurrence of the Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank has been expressed to
implement this loan scheme maintaining a minimum loan scheme of 13% for the entire loan period.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of
Education to implement the interest free student loan scheme under the 07th batch for the students who have
accomplished the prescribed qualifications among the student selected for undergoing undergraduate studies
as per the results of Advanced Level examinations held in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
15. A Master Plan to develop the district of Hambantota
Although approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on the 26.06.2018 to
entrust Sarbana Jurong (Pvt.) Limited with the responsibility of obtaining consultation services to prepare a
regional plan and a detailed master plan of Grater Hambantota for fundamental improvement centres, the
approved decision has not yet been implemented. The Government has decided to prioritize the
development activities pertaining to Hambantota and it has been recognized as appropriate to hand over the
preparation of the master plan for the development of Hambantota district to the same Sarbana Jurong (Pvt.)
Limited to whom the responsibility of preparation of master plans for the development of Colombo city and
the Western province as well as the strategic development of the tourist zone of Eastern province are
entrusted with. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Hon.
President to entrust the said responsibility to Sarbana Jurong (Pvt.) Limited.
16. Providing welfare benefits for those obtaining senior citizens allowance, receiving kidney disease
allowance due to unidentified circumstances and differently - abled persons who are receiving
allowances.
Name lists of approximately two million identified for implementing the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefits
payment scheme have been published at Divisional Secretariat divisions and Grama Niladhari divisions in
order to submit appeals and objections by now. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished
by the Hon. President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies
to pay the welfare allowances mentioned in the gazette notification published at present for all 03 categories
who were already obtaining benefits up to now, until those senior citizens allowance, suffering from kidney
diseases due to unidentified circumstances and differently - abled persons who have applied for obtain welfare benefits under the said programme are defined based on more suitable criteria and subtle measures.
17. Selection of transaction consultants for Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Kanvil Holdings (Pvt.)
Limited, Hotel Developers Ceylon Limited and Litro Gas Ceylon Limited.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on the
13.03.2023 to restructure the above companies. Accordingly, expression of interest (EOI) and request for
proposals (RfP) have been called, following the international competitive procurement procedure to select
transaction consultants for the purpose. Transaction consultants for the above four (04) institutions have
been selected from the short – listed proposals by the standing procurement committee appointed by the
Cabinet of Ministers following the selection method based on quality and cost. Accordingly, the Cabinet of
Ministers granted approval for the proposal submitted by the President to them to enter into relevant
agreements with the following four (04) institutions selected.
(i) Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation - Alvarez and Marsal
(ii) Kanvil Holdings (Pvt) Limited – Deloitte India
(iii) Hotel Developers Ceylon Limited (Colliers Singapore)
(iv) Litro Gas Ceylon Limited - Deloitte India
