Decisions taken by the Cabinet at its Meeting held on 31.10.2012

1.    National Policy on construction of Telecommunication towers

•   On a proposal made by the President as Minister in charge of Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Authority the Cabinet of Ministers decided to implement a national policy on Telecommunication towers with a specific guideline for it.

•    The modem telecommunication infrastructure is an essential requirement for rapid economic and social development of the country and at present 9 Public Switched Telecommunication network service providers are providing telecommunication services in the country and more than 2900 antenna tower structures have been installed to facilitate the provision of such services.

•    Considering the environmental and health related public concerns for human safety the cabinet decided to implement a national policy in telecommunication structures with a set of guidelines formulated by a committee of experts appointed for the purpose.

2.    Allocation of Lands for 24 industries island wide

•    On a proposal made by Mr. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, the Cabinet decided to allocate lands on a 35 year lease term basis   to 24 prospective investors, as recommended by Regional Industry Service Committees, at Industrial Estates scattered in the country.

•    At present there are 26 industrial parks at district level and the selection of industrialists to invest in these estates is done by the Regional Industry Services Committee and the official committee appointed by the Secretary to the ministry of Industries.

•    It is anticipated that 1,076 direct employment opportunities could be provided with a total investment of Rs 1,516.1 million.

3.    An integrated Luxury Hotel Complex at Uchchimunai Island in Kalpitiya

•    Cabinet of Ministers approved  a proposal by Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development, to entrust 450 acres of land at Uchchimunai Island at Kalpitiya to  M/s Saphire Bay Resort (Pvt) Ltd to convert the area as an international tourist hub.

•    This land to be  given on a 99 year lease term basis will incorporate Hotels, Resorts, Water Villas, Spas, Golf Courses etc. and other leisure and recreation facilities provided to meet the present day needs of tourists.

•    Kalpitiya Tourism Zone has been planned to be developed as a special tourism destination in Sri Lanka.

•    The investor will pay the determined value of the land Rs 1070 million at once.

4.    Rs 280 million for inifrastructure development of Suriyawewa IPZ

•    The proposal made by Mr Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development, to expand and develop the Hambantota Industrial Promotion Zone under a Master Plan in an area of 850 hectares was approved by the cabinet of ministers.

•    A Master Plan has been prepared for the development of the Suriyawewa area as an Investment Promotion Zone (IPZ) covering also the 230 hectare already allocated and it will consist of a Multi Sports Complex, Cycling Stadium, Hockey Stadium, an International Aquatic Centre, a Media Centre, Information and Technology Park, Convention Centre, Educational Park, Hotels and Residencies etc.
The internal infra structure facilities are to be provided by the BoI at an estimated cost of Rs 280 million

5.    Rs 4606 million spent to provide Relief for the drought affected people –

•    President Mahinda Rajapaksa informs the cabinet of the progress of the relief programme implemented under four major projects for the drought affected people in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala and Puttalam Districts

•     The Government has spent an amount of Rs.4,606.62 million on these activities:
o    Increasing the water retention capacity by de-silting 972 reservoirs and tanks at a cost of Rs.3444.61 million.
o    Labour contribution by drought affected farmers for the above work and also for development of agricultural roads and cleaning of canals for which payment in cash amounting to Rs.l,113.95 million was made to the farmers.
o    Reconstruction of 2,553 Agro Wells at a cost of Rs.24.78 million.
o     Provision of drinking water for the people in the drought affected areas at a cost of Rs.23.28 million.

6.  Appropriation Bill / Budget - 2013 - Committee Stage Programme –

•    The Committee Stage Programme for the above which will commence on 2012•11-19 and conclude on 2012-12-08, submitted by Mr.. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Leader of the House of Parliament, was noted by the Cabinet.

7    Purchase of a property for the Chancery of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC –

•    Residence and the present premises of the Embassy were purchased in The proposal made by Professor  G.L.Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, to purchase the identified property at No.3025, Whitehaven Street, M W Washington DC to establish the new chancery of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC, was approved by the Cabinet.

•    The Official 1948 and the local government laws of the district of Columbia do not permit further expansion of the present building of the Chancery as the structure of the existing building does not comply with the local government standards for such expansion.

•    The Cabinet approved the purchase of this property at a cost of US $ 6,600,000/

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