Decisions taken by the Cabinet at its Meeting held on 07 .12. 2011

1. One acre land to Pannipitiya Junior School and Swimming pool to Piliyandala Central College

• On a proposal made by President, in his capacity as Minister of Defence and Urban Development the cabinet decided to allocate a block of land over one acre in extent, for the expansion of the Depanama Dharmapala Junior School.
• This land will be vested in the Ministry of Education of the Western Province. to be used for expansion of this school premises
• Meanwhile the proposal made by Mr. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Sports to award the contract to construct a swimming pool at the Piliyandala Central College at a total revised contract sum of Rs.43 million to A.K.K. Engineering Pvt Ltd was approved by the Cabinet.

2. A government owned company to recommence now Defunct Elephant Pass Saltern

• On a proposal by Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, Cabinet approved the incorporation of a new government owned company to recommence the operation of the Elephant Pass Saltern.
• This is in a defunct state due to the conflict situation which prevailed in the Northern Province for nearly three decades.
• This will generate employment opportunities in the Northern Province and will also help the Government to save foreign exchange spent on import of salt and salt base products.

3. Fisheries ministry to set up Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)

• The proposal made by Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Cabinet decided to appoint a Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee and a Technical Evaluation Committee to evaluate the unsolicited proposal received from the Visma Sirius IT of Denmark to set up a Vessel Monitoring System for the country
• At present about 3000 multi-day fishing vessels owned by Sri Lankan fishermen are being operated in the deep sea and in international waters in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka, as a member and a contracting party of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission is required to establish and operate a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for the vessels operating in the high seas.
• This will immensely benefit the country to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices in the region.

4. National Film Cerporattion Act to be amended.

• On a proposal made by Mr. Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Mass Media and Information, cabinet approved to introduce necessary amendments to the National Film Corporation Act No.47 of 1971 as amended by Act No.45 of 1980
• The above Act also in keeping with the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Legislation presided over by Minister Susil Premjayantha will be amended inter alia to regularize the distribution of films with the support of the private sector.

5. Establishment of Youth Corps Authority –

• The proposal made by Mr. Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development, to repeal the Youth Corps Act No. 21 of 2002 and to establish a new statutory institution named Youth Corps Authority was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
• The proposed Bill will focus on youth development. Leadership training, conducting job oriented vocational courses etc.
• It was also decided to entrust the administrative and financial powers to the Director of Youth Corps considering the present youth corps as a legal entity until the Youth Corps Authority Bill is passed in Parliament

6.Qatar –Sri Lanka Joint Committee to be established for bilateral cooperation

• The Cabinet has decided to establish a Joint Committee with the Government of the State of Qatar to strengthen bi-lateral relations in the economic, commercial, cultural, scientific, technical, education and information sectors and to develop trade, investment and tourism between the two countries.
• Accordingly, a MoU will be signed during the visit of the Prime Minister of the State of Qatar to Sri Lanka next week.
• Agreements on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation, and cultural cooperation will be signed between the State of Qatar and the Government of Sri Lanka during this visit.
• This will help to enhance economic relations between the two countries and to promote and facilitate export and import of industrial and agricultural raw material and value added products.

7. Euro 22 million assistance from France for National Road Network project

• The Government of France has agreed to provide Euro 22 million for the reconstruction of 46 bridges on the National Road Network.
• These bridges have been selected from Western, Southern, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Western Provinces on priority basis.
• The proposal made by President to enter into a Loan Agreement for the purpose, was approved by the Cabinet.

• < Prev
• Next >