Decisions taken at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 15.08.2022

1. Introduction of national guidelines and minimum standards for child development centres in Sri Lanka.

Child development services under the Department of Probation and Child Care Services are implemented island – wide in order to ensure the protection, security, physical and mental well-being of the children living within Sri Lanka and those who are orphans, abandoned, abused as well as encountering legal issues. Although the guidelines and conventions prepared in relation to the child development centres are already implemented at provincial level, there are no recognized guidelines at national level. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the national guidelines and minimum standards for child development centres in Sri Lanka prepared representing the child protection field as well as all the stakeholders relevant to the field and under the supervision and guidance of the experts in the field and furnished by the Hon  President as the Minister of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment

2. The 75^th Independence Day celebrations fall on the 4^th February 2023.

Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the resolution submitted by the Hon. Prime Minister as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Provincial Government to appoint a Cabinet Sub Committee comprised of the following Ministers in order to organize and monitor the 75^th Independence Day celebrations fall on the 4^th February 2023:

• Ranil Wickramasinghe,

President

Minister of Defense; and Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies

• Dinesh Gunawardhana,

Prime Minister

Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Provincial Government

• Douglas Devananda,

Minister of Fisheries

• Susil Premajayantha

Minister of Education

• (Dr.) Bandula Gunawardhane

Minister of Transport and Highways; and the Minister of Mass Media

• Keheliya Rambukwella

Minister of Health; and Minister of Water Supply

• Ali Sabri

Minister of  Foreign Affairs

• Vidura Wickramanayaka

Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs

• Kanchana Wijesekara

Minister of Electricity and Power

• Tiran Alles

Minister of Public Security

3. Entering into a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Sri Lanka and the government of Napal for the collaboration in the fields of science, technology and innovations.

Although approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on 21.06.2021 to the State Ministry of Skills Development, Professional Education, Research and Innovations to enter into a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Sri Lanka and the government of Napal for the collaboration in the fields of science, technology and innovations, so far the said memorandum of understanding has not been signed. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal furnished by the Minister of Education to sign the aforementioned memorandum of understanding as per the concurrence between the two countries.

4. Allocation of a land of Department of Railways to Al-Safa Primary School’Nawalapitiya

Nawalapitiya Al-Safa Primary School has established in 2013 under the 1000 secondary school reconstruction programme. The building space required for this school was met by a warehouse belonging to the Nawalapitiya railway station of the Sri Lanka Railway Department. At present, due to the increase in the number of students in that school, the said building is not sufficient and the need to construct permanent buildings has been identified. Accordingly the cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of  Transport and Minister Of Education to properly allocate a 2-acre  land in Godamuduna Karahandungala, Nawalapitiya, belonging to the  Department of Railway, for the said school.

5. Issuance of Stamps jointly by postal authorities of Sri Lanka and India to celebrate India's 75th Independence Day

In conjunction with the celebration of India's 75th Independence Day on August 15, 2022, it has been proposed to issue two stamps each based on the theme of "Democracy" to reflect the parliaments of the two countries.  From  the stamps issued by the two countries, it is expected to exchange 5000 stamp sets 3000 souvenir cards and 2000 First Day Covers. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Mass Media  to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the postal departments of both countries for this purpose.

6. Preparing Bill to establish Chartered Institute of Journalists

With the intention of enhancing the professionalism of the journalists those who are working in the field of Mass Media, Cabinet approval was granted on 05.10.2021 for the establishment of Chartered Institute of Journalists. The committee chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media appointed for organizing  activities related to the establishment of the said institution has prepared a draft. The cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Mass Media to prepare a bill by the Department of Legal Draftsman,  based on the report above and to revise the name of the proposed institute from ”Sri Lanka Chartered Institute for  Journalists” to “Sri Lanka Chartered Institute for Professional  Journalists”

7. Establishment of Sri Lanka National Eye Bank Trust

On 29.08.2013, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the establishment of Sri Lanka National Eye Bank Trust. Attorney General’s clearance has been given for the Sri Lanka National Eye Bank Trust bill prepared by the Legal draftsman accordingly.  The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health to publish the said bill in Govt. Gazette and to table for the Parliamentary approval.