2. Project for the development of the Bandaranaike International Airport .– Stage II
It is expected under this project to expand the facilities of this airport and to develop essential infrastructure facilities of the Bandaranaike International Airport to increase the annual passenger handling capacities of the airport from the current volume of 7.4 million to 15 million by the year 2020. In this connection the Government of Japan has agreed to provide under the Japan International Cooperation Institution (JAICA) 45,428 Million Japanese Yen (nearly Rs. 48,969 Million). Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Prime Minister and the Minister of Policy Formulation, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs Ranil Wickremasinghe to enter into an agreement with the Government of Japan to obtain these funds and to carry out future activities relating to this matter.
3. Rehabilitation and renovation of the Badulla to Chenkaladi A-5 Road
The Peradeniya – Badulla – Chenkaladi Road (the A-5 road) has been identified as a major road in the country that connects the Eastern Province and the Central Province. Accordingly the road segment from Peradeniya to Badulla has been rehabilitated and renovated. Under this project the remaining segment from Badulla to Chenkaladi amounting to 151.3 kilometers are to be rehabilitated and renovated. In this connection measures have already been taken to obtain a loan facility of 60 Million U.S.Dollars from Development Fund of the OPEC Organization. In addition, discussions are to be held with the Saudi Arabian fund for Development to obtain another loan facility of 60 Million U.S.Dollars. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake to enter into a loan agreement for this purpose.
4. Comstruction of the Thattuturai Bridge and the access roads on the Samawavativu – Muniochchenai road.
It will become possible for the people of the Samawavativu to get engaged in transport, health, education and other facilities with the implementation of the proposed project. Accordingly, the standard of life and life sustenance activities of the people in the villages of Nedunativu, Chullimurichchan Tivu, Pulichchankerni, Samawavativu and Aalimtivu will get improved. Hon. Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake intimated to the Cabinet that in consent with the Saudi Arabian Fund for Development the unutilized amount of U.S.Dollars 601,581 from the Batticaloa – Trincomalee Road Development Project will be utilized to implement this proposed project.
5. Obtaining a loan for Early Childhood Development Project.
The government’s development strategies have identified the importance of making more investments for the welfare of the children in the ages of early childhood. It has become an objective of the government to provide essential nutrition, safety and security, access to childhood development, improve the services being provided to the children in the age category of 0 – 5 years and thereby provide an environment that is safe and secure for these children. With the objective of achieving these goals the project “Early Childhood Development Project 2015 – 2020” has been proposed. The International Development Agency of the World Bank has agreed to make financial contribution for this purpose. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake to hold discussions with the relevant body of the World Bank and to enter into an agreement with the institution to obtain a loan facility equivalent to U.S.Dollars 50 Million
6. The Pura Neguma Project for development of local government services in the Northern and Eastern Provinces
The five year (2010 – 2015) project of Puraneguma is being implemented under a World Bank loan facility of 50 Million U.S.Dollars. Under this project provision of local government services and development of infrastructure facilities at provincial levels of 80 local government institutions in the Northern and Eastern provinces are being carried out. The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake to hold discussions with the International Development Agency of the World Bank to enter into an agreement in order to obtain funds for the Sri Lankan Government’s contribution for this project as a loan covering 20 Million U.S.Dollars.
7. Participation of the Minister of Finance Mr. Ravi Karunanayake in the bi-annual meeting of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (2015 April 15 -18 at Washington)
A Sri Lankan delegation under the leadership of the Minister of Finance Mr. Ravi Karunanayake has participated in the above referenced meeting. During this visit the Finance Minister has attended several meetings at official levels and to a number of bilateral discussions. The attention of the conference has been focused on overcoming global economic challenges. Although the dwindling of the global oil prices made a positive impact to the global economy, it has been pointed out at this meeting that the global economy still remain in a dangerous situation. In addition to attending this meeting the Minister of Finance has held discussions with officials of the United States State Department, Hon. Ministers of Finance of Malaysia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, State of Qatar, and India. Further the Minister has enlightened the Business Council of the United States about the current political situation, economic situation and the improvement of business atmosphere in Sri Lanka, The Cabinet of Ministers took note of these details.
8. Dry Zone Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project – Providing of alternative lands for the people who lost their land due to construction of the Vavuniya Peru Aru Reservoir
The above referenced project is being implemented by the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage and the Urban Development for the improvement of water supply and sanitary facilities in the dry zone towns of Puttalam, Vavuniya, Mannar and Chilaw. 88 people who lost their lands due to the construction of the Peru Aru Reservoir in Vavuniya under this project will be provided alternative lands with outright grants. The Cabinet of Ministers approved a joint proposal made in this connection by the Hon. Minister of Lands M.K.A.D.S.Gunawardene and the Hon. Minister of Water Supply and Drainage and Urban Development Rauf Hakeem.
9. National Policy on Healthcare quality and Patient Safety
The quality of patient treatment services provided by multi-faceted Health Services Institutions in Sri Lanka widely differs. The patients avoiding Health Services Institutions located near their residences can be prevented by ensuring health quality and patient safety by Health Services Institutions uniformly. By this measure the congestion in main hospitals could be minimized. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved National Policy on Healthcare quality and Patient Safety proposed by the Hon. Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne to ensure health quality and patient safety services by Health Services Institutions.
10. Limitation of the import of Glyphosate pesticide and usage
The scientists who carry out research on the renal diseases prevailing in many parts of the country have pointed out that the use of pesticides, weedicides and chemical fertilizer could be contributing to this situation. Accordingly the government has already banned the import and usage of 4 identified chemical fertilizer and pesticides. In addition to this the Hon. President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to totally ban the import and usage of Glyphosate pesticide. The Cabinet of Ministers approved this decision taken by the President.
11. Establishment of a corruption investigation unit in the field of highways
The proposal made by Kabir Hashim, the Minister of Highways and Investment Promotions, to establish a corruption investigation unit in the field of highways under the Ministry of Highways and Investment Promotions for determine whether there were any defects in administrative, technical, financial and other procedures that would cause a major loss to the government as the government has invested a large amount in the field of highways within the period of 08-01-2015 to 01-01-2011, and if so to identify responsible authorities, and to provide recommendations to amend the relevant procedures to prevent such losses in the future, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
12. Construction of the Batticaloa Courts Complex - Second Phase
Reconstruction of the Batticaloa Courts Complex, which was in a dangerous and decayed status, has been completed. The proposal made by Wijedasa Rajapaksha, the Minister of Justice, to implement the second phase of the project for providing further facilities required to maintain the functions of the Courts Complex, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
13. Additional allocations required for providing facilities to recently resettled Internally Displaced Persons
The government's policy is to resettle all internally displaced persons in their original habitats. The proposal made by D.M. Swaminathan, Minister of Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs, to obtain allocations of Rs. 160 million for providing facilities to resettle approximately 2,175 internally displaced families in districts such as Jaffna and Trincomalee etc. or achieving that objective, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
14. Twelfth operational meeting and symposium of the international network for water and ecosystems in paddy fields
The international network for water and ecosystems in paddy fields is an international cooperative forum which was established in 2004 with the objectives of focusing on the sustainability of ecosystems in paddy fields and maintaining a proper water management. The proposal made by Gamini Vijith Vijayamuni Soysa, Minister of Irrigations, to host the 12th operational meeting and symposium of this forum which is held with the participation of 17 member states in November 2015, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
15. Providing a glass of milk for school children
The above proposal was implemented by providing milk packets for school children through Milco (pvt) ltd with the intention of promoting fresh milk, encouraging dairy farmers, and familiarizing domestic nutrition patterns. The proposal made by Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Minister of Education, to continue the above project by purchasing a milk packet of 150ml to an amended price of Rs. 20/- according to the trilateral agreement between the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Services, Welfare and Livestock Development, and the Milco pvt Ltd considering the increase of the purchasing price of a Litre of milk to Rs. 70/- in keeping with the new budget proposals for 2015, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. Appointment of a Committee of Secretaries to supervise and report on the Colombo Port City Development Project
As per the recommendations of the committee appointed to review this project the construction works are currently been suspended. The proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth, and Cultural Affairs, to appoint a committee of high rank officials chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister for considering the ability of permitting the continuation of this project after correcting the lapses and procedures, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.