02. Transfer of powers (Divisional Secretaries) (Special Provisions) bill (Document No – 11)
It has been observed that it is necessary to transfer more powers to District Secretaries for supervision of development activities implemented in divisional level. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to publish in gazette the above bill drafted with the view of implementing the Transfer of Powers (Divisional Secretaries) Act No. 58 of 1992 and subsequently to present in parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
03. Concept paper and framework related to establishment of Grama Rajya (Document No – 12)
A proposal to establish 2,500 Grama Rajya Units island wide for affirming the participation of general public in development process was included in the 'Five Point Plan' policy statement presented for general elections 2015. Accordingly, the committee appointed for preparing a concept paper in this regard which was comprised of government officers, university scholars, retired public officers and representatives of non government sectors has prepared the relevant concept paper and the framework. The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to forward this concept paper and the framework presented by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Internal Administration and Public Management for further discussions.
04. Implementation of an intellectual property project related to travel and culture (Document No – 14)
The joint proposal made by Hon. John Amaratunge, Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs and Hon. S.B. Navinna, Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs, to sign a cooperate agreement between the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for implementation of a proposed intellectual property project related to travel and culture of the WIPO with the view of improving awareness on use of intellectual property in promoting tourism industry and cultural heritage and achieving development objectives related to tourism industry, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
05. Open government partnership (OGP) – National Action plan (Document No – 15)
OGP was established internationally in 2011 as an multilateral initiative that encourages governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, stand against corruption, utilize modern technology for strengthening governments, share each other's experiences, cooperation with civil societies in the country and currently about 70 countries have obtained its membership. According to the invitation made appreciating the good governance process of the present government to take part in this partnership, Sri Lanka has participated in its summit held in Mexico in October 2015. All member states should prepare a two year Action Plan in the fields of good governance, accountability, transparency, public participation and fight against corruption. Accordingly, a proposal was made by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to accept this OGP action plan and to appoint a steering committee to supervise its progress and the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to establish a Steering Committee chaired by H.E. the President and Hon. Prime Minister and comprised of relevant ministers and stakeholders.
06. Ratification of relevant conventions of International Labour Organization related to shipping field (Document No – 17)
The proposal made by Hon. W.D.J. Seneviratne, Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations, to ratify Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and Seafarer's Identify Documents Convention No. 185 of 2003 with the objectives of broadening employment opportunities for Sri Lankans, improving their employment standards, and obtaining other benefits related to naval field and to provide necessary legal provisions to implement these conventions, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
07. Control of floods and environmental pollution in Sainthamaruthu Divisional Secretary's Division in Kalmunai (Document No – 18)
Residents in Sainthamaruthu Divisional Secretary's Division in Ampara District are affected by the floods in the lagoon annually. Absence of proper drains, some aquatic plants obstructing the flow of water, and waste disposal around the lagoon by residents have caused this situation. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Minister of City Planning and Water Supply, to construct a barrier around the lagoon at an estimated cost of Rs. 162 million as a measure to these issues benefiting more than 10,000 people of 2,700 families, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
08. Holding a workshop on water re-use and alternative water supply in Sri Lanka (Document No – 19)
The proposal made by Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Minister of City Planning and Water Supply, to hold the above workshop in Sri Lanka from 01st to 03rd November 2016 with the cooperation of Indian Ocean Rim Association for improving the awareness on water reuse and alternative water supply, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
09. Further reliefs to victims of explosion in Salawa ammunition dump on 05-06-2016 (Document No – 20)
More than Rs. 359 million has been issued to Colombo District Secretariat for payment for houses damaged by the explosion. The proposal made by Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Disaster Management, to pay compensation for damaged pieces of equipment in damaged houses and business places and to establish a provisional common business place by the Urban Development Authority for businessmen who maintained their businesses in buildings obtained on rent or lease basis until they are being fixed, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
10. Scientific and technological cooperation on high energy physics (Document No – 21)
The proposal made by Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology and Research, to sign an expression of interest with the European Organization for Nuclear Research enabling Sri Lankan Engineers, Scientists, and technicians to act as associate members and to assist the said organization in researches on nuclear science, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
11. Agreement between Sri Lankan and Cuba on cooperation in technology and innovation (Document No – 22)
The proposal made by Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology and Research, to sign the above agreement between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Cuba, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
12. Development of District General Hospital – Kaluthara (Document No – 24)
This hospital also provides treatments to patients form adjoining districts such as Galle and Ratnapura. Within the last year number of patients has increased and its facilities should be improved to provide a quality service to patients. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, to construct its medical ward complex, administrative building, staff quarters and drug store at an estimated cost of Rs. 4,121 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
13. Agreement between Sri Lanka and Philippine on waiver of Visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official passports (Document No – 30)
The proposal made by Hon. S.B. Navinna, Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs, to sign the above agreement to enable such persons to travel and stay in the counterpart state without obtaining visa for a period not exceeding 30 days, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
14. Implementation of the Beira lake rehabilitation and redevelopment project (Document No – 33)
Beira Lake which is situated in a land of about 120 hectares is helpful in storm water drainage, recreational activities and biodiversity. Illegal disposal of solid waste and drainage from the surroundings have polluted this water source. Moreover irregular development activities have obstructed the access ways to Beira Lake from some places. The proposal made by Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, to implement the above project at an estimated cost of Rs. 12,550 million, for development of Beira Lake site, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
15. Facilitating the United Nations Vesak Festival celebration 2017 and the conference in Sri Lanka (Document No – 41)
The Cabinet of Ministers has already approved the holding of above event in Sri Lanka. Representatives including heads of states from about 100 countries will participate in the event. It will also help in inspiring people on Buddhist philosophy and to gain the international reputation claimed by Sri Lanka as the centre for Theravada Buddhism. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. (Dr.) Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Buddha Sasana, to allocate required funds to hold above events in Sri Lanka in 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. Renovation and construction of access roads and internal roads of dedicated economic centres (Document No – 43)
The proposal made by Hon. P. Harrison, Minister of Rural Economic Affairs, to perform the tasks of constructing access roads and internal roads, car park and drain systems in Meegoda, Nuwara Eliya, Keppetipola and Veyangoda Dedicated Economic Centres through relevant Provincial Road Development Authorities at an estimated cost of Rs. 25.2 million, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
17. Establishment of a Secretariat and an Advisory Committee to handle work related to Colombo Process and Abu Dhabi Dialogue within Sri Lanka Chairing Period (Document No – 48)
Colombo Process was established in 2003 and Abu Dhabi Dialogue was established in 2008 regarding labour related matters of migrant workers. Sri Lanka has been awarded the Chairmanship of Abu Dhabi Dialogue unanimously for a period of two years appreciating the commitment of Sri Lanka in promoting security of migrant workers. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Thalatha Athukorala, Minister of Foreign Employment, to establish above secretariat and advisory committee within the above mentioned period for above forums, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
18. Expeditious project of construction of hostels for university students (Document No – 61)
About 94,000 students currently study in government universities and buildings and other facilities have been developed to provide hostel facilities to 52,800 students. As the government plans to increase the intake from 10% annually, hostel facilities should be further developed. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Higher Education and Highways, to commence construction of 24 hostels to provide accommodation for 9,600 more students at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,430 million within year 2016, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
19. Award of contracts for buildings to be built in universities of Kelaniya, Eastern, Ruhuna and Bhikshu University of Sri Lanka (Document No – 62)
The proposal made by Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Higher Education and Highways, to award above contracts with the view of providing necessary infrastructure for students as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Standing Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
20. Construction of a warehouse complex at Kilinochchi District (Document No – 63)
The proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, to award the contract for construction of a warehouse complex of about 32,000 square feet, which comprises of an Office building with a research lab, accommodation building, water tank, transformer room, as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Standing Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
21. Budget 2017 – Second Reading Debate and Committee stage debate (Document No – 71)
First reading of Budget 2017 (budget speech) is scheduled on 10-11-2016 and the second reading debate and committee stage debate are scheduled to be held for 26 days in the months of November and December. This information presented by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, was considered by the Cabinet of Ministers.
