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    Cabinet Decision on 27.02.2020

    February 29, 2020

    Cabinet Decision on 27.02.2020 

     

    1. Continuous implementation of Micro Finance Credit Facility Program for the People of
    Northern and North Central Provinces who are in debt.
    A loan scheme has been implemented through Co-operative Rural Banks and Thrift and
    Credit Co-operative Societies to provide relief to low income people who have obtained
    loans from various micro finance institutions. Social Security Fund, for the Sri Lankans
    employed in foreign countries. The Treasury has released Rs. 542 million and it operates
    as a revolving fund.
    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 continue the
    loan program, increasing the maximum credit limit to Rs.60,000/- per one person.
    2. A Social Security Fund for Sri Lankan Foreign Employees.
    The National Policy Framework “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor” proposes initiating a
    contributory pension for Sri Lankans employed overseas. The Cabinet of Ministers
    approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Skill Development, Employment
    and Labour Relations to appoint a committee of experts to prepare the Preliminary Bill
    for the establishment of Contributory Social Security Fund for workers employed
    overseas.

    3. Obtaining International Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT) Service (Point of Service
    Activation-PSA) which is provided by the Sri Lanka Telecom for monitoring and
    supervising Fishing vessels.
    1500 registered multi-day trawlers have been provided with 1,500 transponders with
    government intervention. The contract for providing satellite services for these
    Transponders purpose has already expired. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the
    proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources to allocate Rs. 13.5
    million for continuous access to satellite services through Telecom.
    4. St. Jude Global Alliance’s Medical Institute Membership Agreement between St, Jude
    Children’s Research Hospital and the secretary to the Ministry of Health and
    Indigenous Medicine.
    The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Health
    and Indigenous Medicine to enter in to a Memorandum of Understanding with St. Jude
    Global Alliance’s Medical Institute to Join as a member organization.
    5. Ongoing Constructions of Amaradewa Asapuwa
    The contract had been canceled as the construction work of the Amaradeva Asapuwa
    construction project had not met the expected efficiency. The Cabinet of Ministers
    approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Information and Mass Media to

    select an appropriate institution through Government Formal Procurement Process to
    resume the respective constructions efficiently.
    6. Increase of the amount paid for Children who are entitled to university admission as
    Mahapola Scholarship and Expansion of Mahapola Scholarship Scheme St. Jude Global
    Alliance’s Medical Institute to join as a member organization.
    The Mahapola Scholarship scheme commences in 1982 and provides scholarships for
    over 15,000 students. The Mahapola Scholarship scheme commences in 1982 and
    provides scholarships for about 15,000 out of 30000 students who get university
    admissions. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister
    of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation to implement some special strategic
    programs to increase the present fund Rs. (10.5 billion) up to Rs. 20 billion by 2025, in
    order to increase the number of scholarships to 20000 and to increase the monthly
    grant.
    7. Report on non-enrollment of students the interest free scholarship scheme as expected
    and students left the course
    The interest free student loan scheme is being implemented from 2017 for providing
    opportunity to follow a government recognized degree program at a non-governmental
    higher education institute. 3731 students have been provided this loan under three
    stages. 202 students have left the program due to various issues. The Cabinet of
    Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Higher Education,
    Technology and Innovation in relation with the expansion of this program to provide
    relief to students who are facing financial difficulties and to prioritize the courses that
    create more jobs in the future.
    8. INFORTECH - Technology and innovations Exhibition
    The cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Higher
    Education, Technology and Innovation to hold an exhibition titled “INNOTECH 2020” -
    Technology and Innovation Exhibition from 11 th to 15 th March 2020 with the purpose of
    promoting scientific literacy and exhibiting the inventions of the institutions and
    university research and development sections under the ministry of Higher Education,
    Technology and Innovations.
    9. “ Hela Suwaya” Non Toxic Traditional Paddy Cultivation
    The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of
    Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development to focus 2000 farmers using
    10,000 acres in Anuradhapura Rajangana area for “Hela Suwaya” Paddy cultivation as a
    pilot project.

    10. Improvement of selected highway sections in National Highways using the remaining
    funds of L.B.E.F
    The Road Development Authority has implemented a road rehabilitation project utilizing
    the loans obtained from local banks on treasury guarantees since 2011. The project will
    be carried out in two phases and it is estimated that around Rs. 1580 million will be
    remained from the loans approved. Accordingly, the cabinet of Ministers approved the
    proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Roads and Highways to utilize this amount to
    develop the alternative roads which need immediate upgrade under the program of
    “Implementing a 100,000 km alternative road network” already approved by the
    Cabinet.
    11. Payment of Self Relocation Allowance to the parties affected by the land acquisition for
    Southern Expressway Extension Project
    A Self Relocation Allowance of Rs. 150,000/- was paid for affected people of Southern
    Expressway Extension Project, before 18 th November 2016. Then this allowance has
    been amended as Rs.5000,000/-. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the
    proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Roads and Highways for the payment of
    Relocation allowance up to Rs. 500,000/- concerning 175 land owners affected by land
    acquisition before 18 th November 2016.
    12. Establishment of One Stop Shop Service Centers to provide services related to Micro,
    Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in one place.
    Micro and Small Enterprises (SMEs) are estimated to contribute 52% to the country's
    GDP and provide livelihood to more than 3 million people. That is about 45% of the
    country's total employment. Because of the prevailing Institutional methodology for
    providing business services, these entrepreneurs appear to be inconvenienced by the
    fact that the same work is carried out by different agencies and it takes a lot of time.
    Accordingly, the cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister
    of Small and Medium Scale Business and Enterprise Development to establish 25 Service
    centers based on 25 districts in the country, operate these service centers in
    collaboration with other relevant government agencies and other relevant parties and
    to carry out the management activities by the Governing Body.
    13. “Obata Ratak- Ratata Hetak – A Clean Workplace - a Working Country” implementing a
    Program of rendering free service
    The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Power &
    Energy and Transport Services Management to implement a one day “Sramadana
    Program” on the 28 th of February 2020 with the participation of welfare societies and
    productivity groups of Ceylon Transport Board, Railway Department, Electricity Board,
    Petroleum Corporation and other institutions under the Ministry of Power and Energy

    and the Ministry of Transport Services Management and to conduct this program once
    every three months.
    14. Government Land Management Program
    The cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Minister of Land and
    Land Development to implement the following proposals presented by the committee
    appointed on cabinet decision dated 19.12.2019.
     Writing off the fine of the interest recoverable from the rentees
     Awarding a concessionary period of one year for the rentees to pay the rent in arrears.
     Giving opportunity for them to pay the annual rental in 04 quarters
     Giving a 10% discount to the rentees who pay the annual rental before the end of the
    first month of the rental
     Facilitate to pay the rental through means / methods such as post offices, credit cards,
    mobile apps etc.

    15. Extending the tourism development tax payment suspension period for the tourism
    establishments registered under Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
    A concessionary period of one year from 01 st January 2020 has been given for the
    payment of tourism development tax payable from 31 st December 2019 by the tourist
    institutions registered with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. However, since
    the expected increased number of tourist arrival has not been experienced after the Ester
    day attack, it is apparent that the relevant concessionary period is suitable to be extended.
    Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of
    Tourism and Civil Aviation for extending the concessionary period for another four
    months up to 30 th April 2020 and to recover the unpaid tourism development tax
    applicable to the period to be recovered in 20 equal instalments with effect from 01 st May
    2020.

    16. Programme to attract Aviation Companies to both Mattala Rajapaksha
    International Airport and Colombo, Rathmalana International Airports
    The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the following proposals submitted by the
    Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation for promoting the airports of Mattala Rajapaksha
    International Airport and Colombo, Rathmalana International Airport for inauguration of
    air tours in the international permanent time table once again and inauguration of regional
    operations of the airports respectively.

    17. Awarding the contract of enhancement, mechanical and electric work of Water
    Refinery in Girandurukotte under the local government upgrading sectorial project
    implemented under the grants of the Asian Development Bank
    Provisions of United States Dollars 46.78 million has been granted under the local
    government upgrading sectorial project implemented under the grants of the Asian
    Development Bank has been allocated for enhancing water supply schemes in the Uva,
    North Central, Central and North Western provinces where people suffering from kidney
    diseases are. Accordingly, the proposal tabled by the Minister of Public Administration,
    Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government was approved by the Cabinet
    of Ministers for awarding the contract of enhancement, mechanical and electric work of
    Water Refinery in Girandurukotte to a contracted sum of Rupees 330.10 million to Wasiri
    Savinda Joint Venture, Polgasowita, Kahathuduwa subject to the recommendations of the
    procurement committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers.

    18. Obtaining ‘Kurumbettiya’ multi – purpose bicycles with the carriage for
    transportation of waste / garbage.
    The amount of garbage disposed to the environment due to the increase of population
    density as well as the present consumption pattern has been increased. At present,
    collection of garbage is carried out by small tractors in the areas where compactor or
    large tractors cannot reach. A new bicycle named ‘Kurumbettiya’ with a capacity of 250
    – 300 kilograms for bearing garbage, minimum environmental impact and accessible

    even to sub – ways without difficulty has been manufactured by a local new inventor
    company Nation Eye (Pvt.) Company. It has been proposed to buy 10 such bicycles and
    distribute them among several local government bodies so that the success can be judged
    as a pilot project whereas the other local government bodies too can be distributed with
    these bicycles based on the success of the pilot project. Accordingly, the proposal
    submitted by the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Authorities for
    procurement of 10 of these multi – purpose bicycles at a price of Rupees 180,000.00 each
    for a total amount of Rupees 1.8 million and distribute among the local government
    authorities where religious and ancient monuments are situated was approved by the
    Cabinet of Ministers.

    19. Continuation of ‘Suraksha’ Student Insurance Scheme
    The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal submitted by the Minister of
    Education for formalizing and further implementation of the ‘Suraksha’ Insurance
    scheme implemented at present covering all the school children in the age group from 5
    to 19 year with the objective of ensuring the creation of a healthy child population as well
    as the schooling of all the children.

    20. Re – initiation of Kurunchthivu (Elephant Pass – North) Salten under Government
    – Private Partnership.
    Although the Cabinet of Ministers has granted their permission to re – inaugurate the
    production and monitoring work of Kurunchthivu (Elephant Pass – North) Salten which
    was halted due to the war existed during the past years, the process has not been a reality
    up to now. The Cabinet of Ministers granted permission for the proposal submitted by the
    Minister of Industries and Supply Management for the inauguration and implementation
    the activities of the said salten as a government – private partnership project implemented
    between the Manthai Salt Limited and an investor selected following the formal
    methodology.

    21. Converting the railway from Kandy to Peradeniya to a double line.
    The double line constructed parallel to the existing Kandy – Peradeniya railway is
    approximately 6.0 kilometers while it is being constructed from Kandy to Getambe
    railway cross road. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the
    Minister of Transport and Transport Services Management for the construction of an
    additional railway with an enhanced signal system with the provisions of the consolidated
    fund parallel to the existing railway between Getambe railway cross road and Sarasavi
    Uyana with the objective of further minimizing the travelling period and to construct a
    railway bridge across Mahaveli river at 00 miles and 37 chains.

    22. Entering into a long term contract for importing 1,137,500 barrels of diesel
    (maximum sulphur percentage 0.05) and 262,500 barrels of diesel (maximum
    sulphur percentage 0.001) within a period of eight months from 01.04.2020 to
    30.11.2020
    The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Electricity
    and Power for awarding the contract of importing 1,137,500 barrels of diesel (maximum
    sulphur percentage 0.05) and 262,500 barrels of diesel (maximum sulphur percentage
    0.001) within a period of eight months from 01.04.2020 to 30.11.2020 to M/s Petrochina
    Intenational Pte. Ltd., as per the recommendation of the Special Standing Procurement
    Committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers.

    23. Increasing the income of farmers growing Big Onion through increasing the
    government minimum certified price for Big Onion.
    It has been proposed by the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ to implement a new
    programme for production of crops such as big onions and to convert the extreme limits
    of foreign exchange spent for the import of such crops to be an income of the local
    farmers cultivating those crops.

    It has been identified that an appropriate programme for utilizing the lands for those
    crops with the highest productivity should be essentially required while escalating the
    government certified price for big onions for encouraging them by providing a fair price
    for farmers’ harvest. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal
    submitted by the Hon. Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance, Economic and Policy
    Development for increasing the minimum certified price given for a kilo of big onion at
    present from Rs. 60/- to Rs. 80/- and to launch an accelerated special programme by the
    Ministry of Mahaveli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development for escalating the
    production by enhancing the productivity of big onion crops.

    24. Supplementary Report of the Committee appointed for reviewing the Composite
    Development Agreement of Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC)
    A review committee headed by Professor Lalithasiri Gunaruwan was appointed for
    submitting recommendations to the government on the actions to be taken after studying
    in relevant to the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) as per a decision taken by
    the Cabinet of Ministers on the 18 th December 2019. The said Committee has submitted a
    supplementary report to the Hon. Prime Minister and the report pointed out that there are
    features that may threaten the national, social and economic welfare of Sri Lanka within
    certain projects proposed under this programme although the Millennium Challenge
    Cooperation (MCC) proposal is capable of supplying financial resources required for the
    investments that wipe out the fundamental economic constrains in Sri Lanka suppressed
    due to lack of capital resources and being debt – ridden nation without increasing the
    foreign credit bondage. The report further pointed out there were clauses and conditions
    that would affect negatively to the national goals / objectives, sovereignty as well as the
    national security along with sections and provisions that would be unfavourable for the
    Constitution of Sri Lanka and the legal framework of the country included in the
    proposed composite agreement and the agreement of the programme implementation as
    well as in the draft cooperate statute of the proposed company. Therefore, the Committee
    has pointed out that it is essential to apply appropriate corrections as well as suitable
    amendments and after that it is suitable to obtain concurrence of the citizens as well as
    the approval of the Parliament. The Hon. Prime Minister having submitted the

    supplementary report of the Committee for the information of the Cabinet of Ministers,
    the Cabinet of Ministers took the particulars along with the fundamental decisions and
    recommendations into considerations.

    25. Awarding the contract for changing the software of the Revenue Administration
    Management Information System (RAMIS 2.0) – Section B operated in the
    Department of Inland Revenue.
    The Department of Inland Revenue utilizes the RAMIS programme from year 2016 for
    performing the fundamental activities of the tax administration process while it enables
    the state banks and other state institutions to link with the Department of Inland Revenue
    through internet services and providing interfaces. Considering the necessity of
    implementing the new inland revenue act with immediate effect, the proposal submitted
    by the Hon. Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance, Economic and Policy
    Development for awarding the contract for changing the part of the software RAMIS 2.0
    renovated as RAMIS 2.0 – B for a cost of Singapore Dollars 15,534,364 to Singapore
    Cooperation Enterprise (SCE), as per the recommendations of the discussion negotiation
    committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers was approved by the Cabinet of
    Ministers.

    26. The actions taken by the Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in regard to the security
    and welfare of the Sri Lankans living in Europe, Middle East and Eastern Asian
    region amidst the outbreak of New Corona Virus (COVID – 19)
    The deadly New Corona Virus have been spread throughout 44 countries as an epidemic
    infecting more than 80,000 people and taking more than 2,700 lives by now. The acting
    Minister of Foreign Relation has informed that no information has been received that Sri
    Lankans living in those countries have been infected so far while tabling the actions so
    far taken by Sri Lankan missions in those countries in regard to their security and
    welfare. Whereas the Cabinet of Ministers took the information into consideration
    furnished by the Hon Minister that the Ministry of Foreign Relations that close

    supervision is continuously in operation with regard to the situation probable to be
    erupted so that immediate actions could be taken in the connection.

    27. Eradicating the anomalies in the salaries of Teacher – Principal Services.
    Considering the issues in the salaries and service conditions in all the professionals in the
    teachers’, Principals’ and other educational services for an extended time, the policy
    declaration of ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ propose the requirement of
    preparation of a suitable salary method by amalgamating all the services including Sri
    Lanka Teachers’ Service through preparation of an appropriate salary and services
    minute. Although the Cabinet of Ministers already have taken a policy decision to act
    accordingly, the Minister of Education tabled an extended explanation to the Cabinet of
    Ministers on the circumstances emerged due to the prevailing salary anomalies in the
    teacher – Principal services.

    His Excellency the President has established a national salaries commission for
    preparation of a new salary policy to enable eradication of anomalies existing by studying
    the salaries in the state sector and, the Government intends to implement the
    recommendations of the said Commission across the upcoming budget of the
    Government. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to take measures to remove the
    salary anomalies prevailing at present in Teacher – Principal services through the
    recommendations tabled b

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