Decisions taken by the Cabinet at its Meeting on 24.01.2013

Amendment to the Petroleum Resources Act, No. 26 of 2003

with the view to meeting the required standards of global expectations of the petroleum Industry as well as to introduce the principles of good:óvernance into Sri Lanka's Oil and Gas industry, the proposal made by H.E. the President, to bring in amendments to the Petroleum Resources Act, No.26 of 2003 and widen the scope of the Act, was approved by the Cabinet.

Amending the Defence Services Command and Staff College Act, No. 5 of 2008

The Army Command and Staff College which functioned as a college belofigink to the Sri Lanka Army, under the Ministry of Defence, has now been establishg as the Defence Services Command and Staff College. The college conducts a one year residential course and those who pass out are awarded certificates. This Institution is to be brought under the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and will confer the Masters Degree In Defence Studies in consultation with that University, for those who complete the relevant courses of study.. The above proposal made by H.E. the President, In his capacity as the Minister of Defence and Urban Development, was approved by the Cabinet.

Proposal to Host the International Conference on "Better Air Quality (BAQ) - 2014" in Sri Lanka

The above conference provides a platform for the meeting of a large number of air quality management experts in Asia to discuss on sustainable transport, energy, industry, clean fuels and vehicles, air quality, climate change etc. It is expected to attract more than 500 dignitaries, resource persons, observers and participants for this event. The proposal made by Hon. Anura Priyadarsbana Yapa, Minister of Environment, to proceed with the work penalizing to the above conference, was approved by the Cabinet,

Establishment of 25 University Colleges

The proposal made by Hon. Dullas Alaflapperuma, Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development, to set up 20 University Colleges affiliated to the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC) by upgrading the existing Training Centres falling under the purview of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development, utilizing Rs, 1600 million allocated for the purpose in the 2013 Budget, and to establa a further number of 05 University Colleges in collaboration with the private i8rtor, was approved by the Cabinet. The proposed University Colleges will be able to create alternate learning pathways up to the Degree level for school leavers, and thereby provide more employment opportunities.

Construction of a fly-over

Maho level crossing - Nikaweratiya –Moragottagama-Siyambalaugamuwa Road crosses the Main Railway Line leading to northern, North Central and Eastern Provinces, in Maho town and long delays to the movement of traffic on the above road are experienced due to frequent gate closures. The proposal made by H.E. the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Ports and Highways, to proceed with the initial activities relating to the above project, was approved by the Cabinet.

Construction of a Four Storied Building for the Library under Relocation of the Buddhasravaka Bhikku University, Anuradhapura –

the proposal made by Hon. S.B. Dissanayake, Minister of Higher Education, to construct a Four Storied Building for the Library of the Buddhasravaka Bhiicku University, Anuradhapura, at a total cost of Rs.363 million, to entrust the work after calling for limited quotations from reputed contractors and complete the construction work within 30 months, was approved by the Cabinet.

Programme to Develop thousand secondary schools with five thousand primary schools network –

Construction of Mahindodaya Technical Laboratories - the proposal made by Hon. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Education, to award the construction of Mahindodaya Technical Laboratories to 400 schools among the remaining schools where the said laboratories are expected to be constructed under Phase II of the thousand secondary schools programme, was approved by the Cabinet.

Construction of a roof for the Thiwanka Statue in Polonnaruwa –

the proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Balasooriya, Minister of National Heritage to construct a permanent metal cover (roof) for the protection of the historical Thiwanka Statue at Polonnaruwa at a cost of Rs.54 million and to entrust the work to State Engineering Corporation, was approved by the Cabinet.

Policy on sending Female Domestic Workers for employment abroad –

the proposal made by Hon. Dilan Perera, Minister of 1oreign Employment Promotion and Welfare for the following conditions to be imposed for female domestic workers seeking employment abroad in future, were approved by the Cabinet:

Saudi Arabia

Minimum Age - 25 years

should have completed 21 days residential training and obtained National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 Certificate for "Domestic Housekeeping Assistant".

Other 7 Middle East Countries

Minimum Age -23years

should have completed 21 days residential training and obtained National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 Certificate for "Domestic Housekeeping Assistant". Singapore, Hongkong, Malaysia, Cyprus and other countries

Minimum Age - 21 years

should have completed 30 days residential training and obtained National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 Certificate for "Domestic Housekeeping Assistant".

Loan Facility Agreements with Hungarian Export - Import Bank Private Limited Company to Finance the Rehabilitation of Labugama and Kalatuwawa Water Treatment Plants –

the proposal made by H.E. the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning, to enter into two loan facility agreements with the Hungarian Export-Import Bank Private Limited Company, in amounts not exceeding Euro 16,714,045 and Euro 17,383,906 for the rehabilitation of the Water Treatment Plants at Labugama and Kalatuwawa respectively, was approved by the Cabinet.

Housing Support & Reintegration Programme for Migrant Workers (Ratawiruwo) –

the following joint proposals made by Hon. Basil R.ajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development; and Hon. Dilan Perera, Minister, of Foreign En2pioymens Promotion and Welfare for the benefit of migrant workers, were approved by the Cabinet:

*to design and implement a joint support housing programme and reintegration programme f'or migrant workers;

*for the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to place a fix deposit of Rs.100 million from its own funds, with the Samurdhi Bank;

*Samurdhi Bank to provide housing loans to migrant workers identified by SLUE to cover the cost of construction of houses over P.s.50,000I- up to a maximu of of Rs.300,000/-; and Samurdhi Bank and Rural Development Bank to provide loans up to Rs.250,000i- for small and medium industries for returnee migrant workers: identified by the SLBFE,

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