The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Kingdom of Bahrain successfully co-ordinated Sri Lanka’s participation at the “Bahrain for All” festival held at Bahrain Bay from 06 to 07 February 2020.

Decisions taken at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 12.02.2020

1. Contribution of Sri Lanka for the arrears amounts recovery and loan concessionary
package expected to be established in assistance for the reformation process of Somalia,
using the internal resources with the contribution from the member countries of the
International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Burden sharing Mechanism of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a policy passed by its
governing board in 1986 whereas this methodology / mechanism has been created to reimburse
the income lost for the fund due to non – settlement of charges by its members under various
grounds. Therefore, the Fund has requested the member nations to totally or partially contribute
the internal resources of the member nations for the arrears amounts recovery and loan
concessionary package for Somalia approved in December 2019 by the governing board of the
Fund. Therefore, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in concurrence with the Ministry of Foreign
Relations have given their consent on rendering Sri Lankan contribution in the regard.
Accordingly, the proposal submitted by the Minister of Finance, Economic and Policy
Development has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers for transferring an amount equal to
Rupees One Hundred and Sixty Three Million (Rs. 163 million) to the Somalia control account as
the total contribution from Sri Lanka.
2. Submission of gazettes extraordinary published under the Excise Ordinance (Authority
52) to the approval of the Parliament.
Proposal submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers by the Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance,
Economic and Policy Development for tabling the following gazettes to the Parliament issued
under the Excise Ordinance (Authority 52) for amendment of certain taxes charged under the
above ordinance was approved.
 Excise notification No. 17/2019 published in the gazette extraordinary No. 2152/11 dated
03.12.2019.
 Excise notification No. 08/2019 published in the gazette extraordinary No. 2152/12 dated
03.12.2019.
 Excise notification No. 09/2019 published in the gazette extraordinary No. 2152/13 dated
03.12.2019.
3. Calling applications for procurement of bricks for recreation of Deegavaapi Stupa in
Ampara.
National competitive bidding has been taken place for the procurement of bricks for the
recreation of Deegavaapi stupa in Ampara and the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC)
appointed for the purpose has evaluated 08 bids tabled in the regard and given recommendations
for the same. Seven (07) suppliers have been selected subject to the given recommendations
while the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Buddha
Sasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs for obtaining the supplies from the above mentioned 07
suppliers.

4. Process for disposal of escheated sand and timber
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted in year 2016 for providing sand and timber
that are escheated by the courts of law throughout the island under concessionary prices for
construction and renovation of religious places and government bodies while the time specified
for such concession has been extended from time to time whereas the final such extension has
been taken place up to 31.12.2019. The proposal furnished by the Minister of Justice, Human
Rights and Legal Reforms has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers for further extending
the methodology from another year so that only the religious institutions will be issued sand and
timber during that extended period.
5. Implementation of mobile short message system for immediately informing the deposit of
monthly contribution by the members of employees’ provident fund.
The number of employees permanently holding the membership of the Employees’ Provident
Fund (EPF) amounts to 2.6 million at present. With the prevailing methodology, the members of
the Employees’ Provident Fund have to be patient for up to 06 – 12 months to know whether
their contribution has been deposited in the fund whereas the members constantly confront with
numerous issues relevant to accounting of contribution. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers
approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Skills Development, Employment and Labour
Relations for initiation of a service of informing the member as soon as the contribution is
accounted so that the members of the fund can themselves be confirmed monthly that their
contributory amount is deposited.
6. Concurrence with the Madrid Protocol and applying amendments to the Intellectual
Property Act No. 36 of 2003 to enable implementation of international registration of
trade and services marks under the Madrid Protocol.
The applicants submit their trademarks or service marks to the National Intellectual Property
Office (NIPO) for registration purposes do not have legal provisions at present for internationally
getting the activity performed direct across that office. In order to continue the process of
obtaining the international registration the applicant has to consult the intellectual property
representative in respective countries via respective applications submitted to them. Under the
prevailing circumstances, it is proposed for the Government of Sri Lanka to enter into the Madrid
Protocol that is governed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The Madrid
Protocol serves an accountable, convenient, and cost effective methodology for safeguarding the
trademarks at a cluster of jurisdictions for the exporters. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers
approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and
Innovations for entering the Government of Sri Lanka into the Madrid Protocol and for
performing necessary amendments to the Intellectual Property Act with the objective of
encouraging the Sri Lankan trade community via easing the submission of applications
internationally under the said methodology.
7. International Scientific Association for food security and preservation in Sri Lanka under
sustainable paddy production.
Paddy / Rice Research and Development Institute operating under the purview of the
Department of Agriculture is entrusted with the responsibility of paddy research activities while

all the categories of paddy cultivated within Sri Lanka are bred at the relevant research centres
under the institute. International Rice Research Institute in Philippines renders its lavish support
by providing necessary instructions, guidance, gene resources as well as technology required for
this process. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the
Minister of Mahaveli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development for implementing a
programme acting in concurrence with the International Rice Research Institute for breeding
categories of paddy that sustain to the weather changes and diseases and the parasites probable
at present and in the future.
8. Maintaining a preserved paddy reserve for stabilizing the food security and market prices
for rice.
A requirement of maintaining a preserved stock of rice for distribution during the time a price
hike of rice is apparent during the months of November and December every year is prevailing.
The storing capacity for maintaining a preserved stock of 24,000 metric tons of rice is available at
present with the Department of Food Commissioners. It is expected to maintain the fixed price
rates in the market by issuing the preserved stocks of rice maintained, via Sathosa at a
government certified price whenever the prices of rice is increasing. Therefore, the Cabinet of
Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Mahaveli, Agriculture, Irrigation
and Rural Development for taking precautions required for maintaining a preserved stock of rice
of 20,000 metric tons comprised of Samba and Naadu through obtaining stocks of paddy
purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB).
9. Allocation of Lands from Regional Industrial Estates to Set Up Industries
Project Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Industries and Supply Chain management
has recommended the sale of the land to eight investors to initiate projects in Industrial
estates. The project proposals of these investors are expected to generate 270 direct
employment opportunities and It is expected to invest Rs. 726.3 million for the
implementation of these projects. Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers approved the
proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Industries and Supply Chain Management to allocate
these lands to identified investors for this purpose.
10. Extension of Free Visa Issuance for Tourists who arrive to Sri Lanka
The cabinet of ministers has approved a free visa issuing program on the 30 th July 2019 with
respect to 48 countries and the program implemented 6 months since the 1 st August 2019.
Considering the development occurred in the field of tourism during this period the Cabinet
of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation
to extend the free visa issuing program for another 3 months from the 1 st February 2020 to
the 30 th April 2020.
11. Re-establishment of Pettah Manning Market Complex at Peliyagoda-
Construction of superstructure, Development of interconnected sections of access
from the road connected to the expressway, to the proposed shopping complex
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Urban
Development, Water Supply and Housing Facilities to award the contract for widening 350m
section of interconnected road to Maga. Engineering (Pvt) Ltd.

12. Procurement for Selecting a consulting firm to regulate and evaluate the
Health System Improvement Project
In accordance with the recommendation of cabinet appointed Consultants Procurement
committee, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of
Health and Indigenous Medicine to award the above contract to Sri Lanka Business
Development Centre for Rs. 94.23 million.
13. Second Integrated Road Investment Program funded by the Asian
Development Bank - Grant of 10 Civil Works Contract Packages in the Western
Province
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Road and
Highways to award 10 civil works contract packages for the rehabilitation/improvement of
rural roads in western province to NCC Limited, Klika Construction Pvt Ltd. and Gamini
Construction joint venture , Hovel Construction Pvt Ltd and Senok Trade Combine Pvt. Ltd.
Joint venture, Access Engineering and Luxman Metal Crushers & Enterprises upon the
recommendation of cabinet appointed standing procurement committee.
14. Proposal to make the railway line between Kurunegala and Mahawa a two-way road
under Indian loan assistance program.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Transport Services
Management to construct an additional 43km railway with an improved signal system in addition
to the existing road between kurunegala abd Mahawa using the remaining funds under Indian
loan assistance, and to obtain the services of Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau for related
consultancy services.
15. Funding the Government's Paddy Purchase Program for the Maha Season 2019/2020
This program has been initiated by the government to provide a reasonable price for the paddy
farmer. Steps are taken to release credits worth nearly Rs. 3,830 million through Bank of Ceylon,
Peoples Bank and Regional Development Bank for the implementation of this paddy purchasing
program which is monitored by the Divisional Secretaries and District Secretaries. The Cabinet of
Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Prime Minister in his capacity as the
Minister of Finance, Economic and Policy Development to provide further funds through the
same bank for the continuation of this program
 

16. Proposal to make provision for settlement of Unpaid Bills of Fiscal Year 2019
The cabinet approval has been granted on the 5 th of February 2020 for amending vote on account 2020.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Prime Minister in his capacity as the
Minister of Finance, Economy and Policy Development to present the respective proposal prepared by
the legal draftsman for parliamentary approval.
17. Implementation of Value Added Project for Mineral Sand supplied by Lanka Mineral Sands Limited
under Public and Private Partnership Scheme
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Industries and Supply
management to implement a Private Public Partnership program with Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd. for
exporting value added products produced using mineral sands.

18. Promoting the male and female police officers stagnating in the post of Police constable
without been promoted for an extended time to Inspector of Police subject to promoting once
and for all.
Due to not following a proper methodology for promoting the Police officers during the
previous period, a large number of male and female Police officers were deprived of gaining
promotions from the post of Police Constable to Inspector of Police even when required
qualifications were fulfilled. Although precise procedures of recruitment had been approved, it is
apparent that the relevant promotions had not been given. As a result of this irregularity around
50 court cases are being filed in the Supreme Court challenging the promotions granted at
several instances accordingly. A committee appointed by the Police headquarters have studied
this situation and and prepared a set of proposals while, the first step of that has been
implemented already. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers have approved the proposal
submitted by the Minister of Mahaveli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development and the
Minister of Internal Trade, Food Security, and Consumer Welfare as well as the State Minister of
Defence for granting promotions to male and female Police constables, male and female Police
Sergeants, male and female sub inspectors of Police, male and female Inspectors of Police
considering the proposal as a policy matter.

Acting High Commissioner of India speaks about India’s recent strides in the renewable energy sector: Energy alternatives should be “available, affordable and accessible”

Israel is willing to assist Sri Lanka to digitalize its state sector while strengthening military ties, sharing intelligence and offer more training opportunities for Sri Lanka Police and Tri Forces personnel.