Decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers on 31.07.2023

1. Streamlining and making the coroner role more efficient

Coroners are appointed on “Korala” basis, Municipal Division basis and Hospital basis. As a result of this, people find it difficult to get the services of coroners due to the inability to identify the boundaries of the relevant jurisdictions. Also, the large number of vacancies in some districts due to the non-appointment of a coroner for a long time is another reason for the people to face inconveniences. In order to resolve those issues and provide a more efficient and regular service to the people, the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms has prepared a fixed  Manual clearly stating the provisions including the qualifications, responsibilities and roles of the coroners. In accordance with the provisions of the said manual, the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms has planned to assign all currently appointed coroners to Divisional Secretariats and identified hospitals, to appoint bilingual inspectors for bilingual Divisional Secretariats, and to make new recruitments to fill the remaining vacancies.  Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved this program presented by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms.

02.       Implementation of a project to prevent damage to the people who are often affected by floods in the Ging Ganga

It has been identified the requirement of   implementing a project to provide a permanent solution for preventing damage to the people who are affected by floods in Gin Ganga. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Irrigation to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with MCC - Sinohydro Consortium to carry on a feasibility study for this purpose. 

03.       Revision of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act No 27 of 2006

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health to advise a Legal Draftsman to prepare a bill for the revision of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act No 27 of 2006 to enable the appointment of a Medical Officer of Health and Additional Medical Officer of Health as authorized officers.

04.       Supplying services for air buses of Sri Lankan Airways at the  Cochin International Airport, India and Jakarta International Airport, Indonesia.

Bids have been called by Sri Lankan Airlines Co. to select service providers for the divisions of controlling air passengers, mobile air elevators and air cargo in the international airports of  Cochin, India and Jakarta, Indonesia. Accordingly, in par with the recommendations of the standing procurement committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation to award the contracts of service supply in  Cochin International Airport to AI Airport Services Limited while to PT. Gapura Angkasa to serve in Jakarta International Airport.

05.       Implementation of ‘Aswesuma’ Social Welfare Benefit Programme

Concurrence of the Cabinet of Ministers was decided to be granted for the following programme presented by the Hon. President in relation to the payment of benefits with immediate effect under the ‘Aswesuma’ Social Welfare Benefit Programme.

• 1,792,265 beneficiaries have been selected for the initial step of Aswesuma programme by the Welfare Benefits Board and payments to be made for 1,588,835 beneficiaries in regard to whom no appeals or objections were received.
• Payment of benefits entitled under the category to which beneficiaries have been selected until a final decision is given after reviewing appeals of 84,374 beneficiaries who has submitted appeals for been included in the higher category although have been selected as beneficiaries.
• Objections have been submitted against 119,056 individuals from the selected beneficiaries and payment of benefits until the review process conducted in regard to the said objections have been finalized.
• 393,097 individuals who enjoy Samurdhi benefits at present and not been selected although have been applied for benefits under the programme to be paid the benefits under the Samurdhi programme until the appeals and objections review process is totally completed under the Aswesuma programme.
• Further payment of already paid kidney disease allowance and disability allowance through the Divisional Secretariates and further payment of elders’ allowance through the Post Offices.
• Further payment of allowance to 11,660 individuals who are in care giving homes or religious places and suffering from kidney disease, disabilities or due to been elders.

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• In the event of any inconsistency between the Tamil and English translations of this document, the Sinhala text shall prevail.