02.Implementation of expeditious development programmes for renovation of damages caused to the irrigation network by the excessive rains and floods that were experienced in the latter part of the year 2014
The damages caused to minor and major irrigation networks by the excessive rains and floods that were experienced in the latter part of the year 2014have already been estimated. Accordingly, it has been identified 1,348 damages caused to major irrigation projects in 13 districts and 2,132 damages caused to minor irrigation networks in 15 districts. Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been given to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Irrigation and Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake to commence renovation of the identified damaged irrigation works before the start of the 2015 Yala Season.
03.The redevelopment and mixed use development project proposed to be constructed in Slave Island, Colombo 2 by the One Colombo (Pvt) Ltd.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been given to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Highways, Higher Education, and Investment Promotion Kabir Hashim to review the whole process of launching a mixed development project in the Slave Island area of Colombo 2 in a land area of 8 acres with the objective of providing a better life standard to the people residing in the area and to recommence the whole project with the very beginning in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Strategic Development Act.
04.Increase of Samurdhi Assistance
Under the emergency concessions programme being implemented in accordance with the 100 days programme of the government it has been pledged to increase the maximum Samurdhi assistance by 200%. The Minister of Finance under his interim budget has proposed to grant this increased concession with effect from April 2015. Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been given to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Housing and Samurdhi Sajith Premadasa to take necessary steps in this connection.
05.Prevention of the further spread of the renal disease and the welfare of the patients already suffering from this disease and welfare of their family members.
It has been decided to expand the composition of the Sub Committee of Cabinet Ministers appointed on the Cabinet Meeting dated 11th February, 2015 under the chairmanship of the President to include the following Ministers:
- Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of Irrigation and Agriculture
- Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage
- Minister of Education
- Minister of Social Service, Welfare and Livestock Development
- Minister of Housing and Samurdhi
- Minister of Food Security.
- Minister of State Administration, Provincial Councils, Local Government, and Democratic Governance
- Minister of Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs.
The Cabinet of Ministers also made the following decisions in relation to the programme of controlling the renal disease.
- The Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine to undertake action relating to the management of preventing the spread of the disease, and treatment of patients in a streamlined manner.
- Ministry of Social Service, Welfare and Livestock Development to implement all welfare activities relating to the renal disease patients.
- Ministry of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage to undertake the water purification plants being constructed in the areas where the renal disease is being spread extensively
- Ministry of Irrigation and Agriculture to undertake the programme of promoting the varieties of traditional rice that contribute to controlling of the renal disease.
- To establish a coordinating unit in the Presidential Secretariat to coordinate the activities of all these programmes and to appoint an experienced person as the Head of this Coordinating Unit by the Secretary to the President to steer the activities relating to the prevention of the renal disease; and
- To appoint a committee comprising senior officials of the relevant Ministries and experts of the sector to assist the Cabinet Sub Committee under the chairmanship of the Hon. President.
- 06.Investment programme of further improving the Greater Colombo Water and Waste Water management programme being implemented with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been given to the proposal submitted by the Hon. Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage Rauff Hakeem to award the Contract of this project being implemented under two stages in accordance with the recommendations that had been made by Cabinet appointed Procurement Committee. The project envisages to rehabilitate the current water supply within the metro Colombo Engineering limits, and to minimize the non-income earning water supply.
07.The second stage plan of developing the Ayurveda Hospital in Borella as a Teaching Hospital
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been given to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne to revise the contract cost of developing the Ayurveda Hospital in Borella as a Teaching Hospital from the original estimate amount of Rs. 728 Millions to Rs. 1,113 Millions as it has been estimated by the cost estimate review committee.
08.Printing of School Text Books – 2015 - State Printing Corporation, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd, and the Department of Government Printing
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been given to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs Gayantha Karunathilake to entrust the task of printing school text books to the State Printing Corporation, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd, and the Department of Government Printing as well, taking into consideration their printing capacity and the performance shown in the previous years.
