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01. Conducting the 53rd Conference of the Directors General of Civil Aviation of the Asia Pacific Region in Sri Lanka in August 2016

An annual conference is held by Directors General of Civil Aviation of the Asia-pacific countries since 1960 with the objective of working with a common stand in international rules and standards related to civil aviation with the view of affirming safety, security, regularity and efficiency in air transportation activities across frontiers. It is the foremost event in the event calendar of the Asia Pacific Regional Office of the International Civil Aviation Organization. The proposal made by Hon. NimalSiripala de Silva, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, to conduct the above conference in Sri Lanka from 01st to 5th August 2016 under the theme ‘Fostering safe, secure and efficient aviation system in an eco-friendly environment with no country left behind’, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

01.Bill to amend the Criminal Procedure Code

The accumulation of court productions in court premises has caused many issues in the present. The proposal made by Hon. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Justice, to gazette the draft bill for amending the section 431 and 432 of theCriminal Procedure Code to provide provisions to dispose these productions prior to finalization of the case, and to place the bill before the parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

01.Capacity Building Project for Sri Lankan Forensic Science Agencies and officials

Digital Evidence and DNA analysis, which are considered as the main two sources in the modern Criminology, plays a major role in inspection of many crimes. Accordingly, project to develop the capacity of the Government Analyst’s Department and the Criminal Investigations Department in obtaining digital evidences and DNA analysis will be implemented with a grant of US$ 3.2 million by the Korean International Cooperation Agency. Above information presented by Prime Minister RanilWickremesinghe, was considered by the Cabinet of Ministers.

01. Combining a private investor to recognize Mahaweli Livestock and Agri Business Pvt Ltd which is running at loss for the time being (Public – Private Partnership)

01.Programme for Management of Hazardous Wastes and Chemicals emitted to the Environment in Sri Lanka

The proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to combine following 04 projects and implement as a single project under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment within the period of 2016-2020, with the view of managing hazardous chemicals and wastes to minimize their impact on the environment and to appoint a Project Steering Committee comprised of representatives from relevant institutions to operate and supervise project activities, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

 Management and disposal of equipment that contains polychlorinated biphenyl in Sri Lanka in an environmental friendly manner.

 Building of the background for ratification of Minamata Convention on Mercury and take necessary action in achieving its objectives.

 Project for the action plan for management and minimizing of polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

 Environment friendly production and recycling of lead acid batteries in Sri Lanka.

01. Introduction of the ‘Virusara’ privilege card for war heroes

It has been decided to introduce a privilege card called ‘Virusara’ for benefitting war heroes who have died, disappeared and disabled of the Three forces, police and the Civil Security Department and their dependents, who have sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. It will enable them to enjoy special benefits in purchasing consumer goods and services such as health, education, banking, insurance, leasing etc. As its first step the card will be presented to 50,000war heroes. The ceremony to award these privilege cards to 5000 war heroes and dependents will be held on 25-01-2016 at the Temple Trees under the patronage of H.E. the President and with the participation of the Hon. Prime Minister and the Defence State Minister. This information presented by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, was considered by the Cabinet of Ministers.

    01. Green Fishery Harbour Project – Mirissa (Document No - 07)

The proposal made by HE the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to implement the ‘Green Fisheries Harbours’ project prepared by the Marine Environment Protection Authority with the view of building sustainable fishery through converting the Mirissa Fishery Harbour into a Green Harbour at a cost of Rs. 30.4 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

01. Establishment of a Secretariat for Coordinating the Reconciliation Mechanisms

The most valuable opportunity gained by Sri Lanka to gain the reconciliation and lasting peace was could not be used successfully due to various reasons. It has become an essential and immediate need to build reconciliation among Sri Lankans. Public institutions including ministries are engaged in this process but due to the absence of a centralized institution in coordinating this process some practical issues such as delays and duplication of tasks have been raised. Therefore, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to establish a Secretariat for Coordinating the Reconciliation Mechanisms that holds following responsibilities, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

 Coordination of national level discourses on reconciliation mechanisms
 Development of a plan with specific dates to establish reconciliation mechanisms such as ‘Office on Missing Persons’ and ‘Truth, Reconciliation and Prevention of Conflicts Commission’.
 Coordination with local institutions such as Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission and international institutes such as the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR).
 Follow-up of the progress and coordination of implementing recommendations stipulated in Commission Reports including LLRC and the Report of the OHCHR.
 Coordination of other requirements related to strengthening the rule of law, human rights and administrative and judicial reforms.

Decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers at the meeting held on 09-12-2015

01. Secured Transactions Bill

The Secured Transactions Act No 49 of 2009 was adopted with the view of facilitating small and medium scale entrepreneurs to obtain loans from banks and financial institutions by providing mobile assets such as machinery as securities in case they do not have any fixed assets. However, with issues raised in implementing several provisions of the act its expected objectives could not be fulfilled. Therefore, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to draft a new bill instead of the existing act to cater the present needs, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.