Cabinet Decisions

Cabinet Decisions taken at 21.10.2025

Compilation of National Building Codes for Sri Lanka

Building codes are a set of regulations that provide a minimum legal and technical requirement regarding planning, construction, maintenance, and modification of buildings in a manner that ensures public protection, health and welfare, and disaster minimization. The aforementioned codes cover the entire construction sector under various aspects, such as the structural integrity of buildings, fire safety, electrical systems, plumbing systems, energy efficiency, and disaster response capacity. Due to the absence of a national building code enforced in Sri Lanka, various problems have arisen regarding structural safety, quality, and the regulation of construction. Taking into account these conditions, approval was granted at the cabinet meeting held on 30-04-2019 to prepare and establish a set of national building codes for Sri Lanka. The necessary technical support for the creation of a national building code concept has been provided by the World Bank group at the stage of preparation of building codes, incorporating all other relevant parties. Furthermore, the preparation of climate-resilient national building codes has been identified as a priority among the final four recommendations proposed by the Climate Public Investment Management Assessment conducted by the International Monetary Fund in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, a project proposal has been prepared by the National Building Research Organization for the compilation of National Building Codes for Sri Lanka. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by His Excellency the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Defense, to implement the aforementioned project proposal.

Integrated Early Childhood Development Program for Sri Lanka

The number of children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in Sri Lanka has increased over the past few decades. Accordingly, plans have been prepared to implement a five-year national program to improve the health, education, and service facilities for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders throughout 25 districts to address the challenges that have arisen. Early Childhood Development Program for Sri Lanka. As an initial step, a provision of Rs. 200 million has been allocated by the 2025 budget for the establishment of a treatment center for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders at the Lady Ridgeway Children 's Hospital in Colombo, according to international standards. In addition to the aforementioned project, a project proposal has been submitted to the Department of National Planning to expand the intervention for the disease in all 25 districts. The proposed project consists of the following three main components.

Establishing child development and intervention centers at the district level
Establishing community children centers at the provincial level.
Implementing capacity building programs at the district level

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to implement the expansion of the intervention regarding children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders based on the recommendations of the Department of National Planning to execute the project components within the medium-term budget framework 2025-2027.

Implementation of the “National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan on Early Childhood Care and Development 2025-2029”

Approval has already been granted for the implementation of the 'National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Development' to create an environment that supports every Sri Lankan child in achieving their maximum potential. The aforementioned National Policy should be developed through a strategic action plan. Accordingly, the "National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan on Early Childhood Care and Development 2025-2029" has been prepared with the participation of all relevant stakeholders. It is expected to provide essential services such as health, nutrition, education, social services, care, and protection with special attention to vulnerable and disadvantaged children through the implementation of this project. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Acting Minister of Women and Child Affairs to implement the "National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan on Early Childhood Care and Development 2025-2029."

Conducting the Sri Lankan Day national program

It has been proposed in the Budget Speech 2025 by His Excellency the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to conduct a national program called 'Sri Lankan Day' with the objective of creating a harmonious Sri Lanka by developing understanding among communities The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing this program. Accordingly, the 'Sri Lankan Day' program is planned to be held on 12, 13, and 14 December 2025, covering the premises and main roads of the Colombo Municipal Council Grounds and Vihara Maha Devi Park, including the surrounding area, with the participation of the public and private sectors in four zones. Furthermore, the program has been prepared to hold in a manner that represents all ethnicities, religions, and cultural elements, as well as the food cultures of each district, local industry exhibitions and sales, and the introduction of new product opportunities. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Buddhasāsana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to conduct the 'Sri Lankan Day' program.

05. Printing of textbooks/modules from the State Printing Corporation.

Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 16-06-2025 to award the printing of 40% of the overall textbooks/modules to the State Printing Corporation as a direct procurement for distribution to the students for the year 2026. The prices of the textbooks/modules provided to the State Printing Corporation for printing should be decided based on the minimum price evaluated by the bidder selected by the National Competitive Procurement Procedure. The procurements for the printing of relevant textbooks/modules have already been offered to the bidders selected by the National Competitive Procurement Procedure. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Honorable Prime Minister in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Professional Education to award the printing of 6.04 million copies from the 78 categories of textbooks/modules for an amount of Rs. 761.29 million (without VAT) based on the prices submitted by the least responsive bidders.

Program to provide a pair of shoes to selected school students, lay and clergy students of Pirivenas and Seela Matha for the year 2026

It has been decided to provide vouchers for pair of shoes for selected school students, lay and clergy students of Pirivenas and Seela Mathas for the year 2026 to the beneficiaries by the end of the year 2025 school term. The vouchers have been prepared by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Professional Education to provide welfare benefits, and are planned to be securely printed with a QR code number that can be scanned through the mobile phone software and given to the beneficiary students. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Honorable Prime Minister in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Professional Education to select following students under the aforementioned program.

644,000 of students who are in the schools less than 250 students across the island.
53,093 of students who are in the estate schools that have 251-500 students.
2,300 students in 30 schools for special needs.
30,000 selected lay / clergy students from Pirivena

Determination of total area that may be affected by landslide disasters (Using the Red and Yellow Zone Determination Methodology)

It has been identified that the mountainous area, which constitutes 30% of the total land area of the country, is at risk of landslides and is spread over 14 districts. As a basic method for the early identification of landslide-prone mountain slopes and their distribution, landslide hazard zone maps are prepared and used by the National Building Research Organization. Accordingly, landslide hazard zone maps have been prepared to cover most of the landslide-prone areas in Sri Lanka by the year 2023. Only areas with signs of landslide initiation are shown in such maps. However, in landslide risk management, it is essential to identify the entire area, including landslide initiation zones, the path that the debris flows, and debris deposit zones. By identifying this condition, the National Building Research Organization has proposed a project to determine overall landslide disaster impact zones (Total Impact Zone) (using the Red and Yellow Zone Determination Methodology). Accordingly, taking into consideration the urgent need to minimize the risk of landslides on the island, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by His Excellency, the President, in his capacity as Minister of Defense to implement the aforementioned proposal.

Implementation of a project to restore and maintain stabilized landslide areas

The National Building Research Organization has now implemented a program to stabilize landslide-vulnerable slopes to minimize landslide risk conditions in identified areas. Accordingly, approximately 250 stabilization projects have been implemented in landslide-prone areas during the last 10 years. Approximately Rs. 10 billion was incurred for that purpose. The long-term stability of a stabilized landslide area depends on the measures taken to manage groundwater and surface water drainage patterns. There is a risk of these stabilized areas turning back into non-stabilized areas without the management and maintenance of groundwater and surface water drainage patterns. Therefore, proper maintenance of these stabilized areas is essential to prevent them from becoming unstable. For this reason, although the National Building Research Organization has issued a series of guidelines to the relevant stakeholder institutions, there is a risk of these stabilized areas becoming unstable due to a lack of proper maintenance The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for a project called " Restore and Maintain Stabilized Landslide Areas," planned by the National Building Research Organization in order to prevent the emergence of such risks . Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by His Excellency, the President, in his capacity as Minister of Defense to implement the aforementioned project during the period 2026-2030.

Reconstruction of the Kurikattuwan jetty in the Kayts Divisional Secretariat Division of the Jaffna District

Kurikattuwan jetty is used by both Nainativu (Nagadeepaya) and Delft (Nedunthivvu) islands as a main maritime access point to the Jaffna peninsula. This jetty facilitates passenger and cargo boat services to the islands and performs a wide range of social, religious, economic, and administrative functions. The existing jetty has suffered extensive structural damage due to prolonged exposure to coastal conditions and lack of large-scale renovation. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Acting Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to implement the Kurikattuwan jetty construction project under the Medium-Term Budget Framework, recognizing the importance of the jetty for transportation, religious tourism, and regional development.

Implementation of a project to manufacture assistive devices locally for people with disabilities.

It has been proposed to expand the facilities for local production of assistive devices for social security and disabled persons under the 2025 budget. Accordingly, Rs. 500 million has been allocated for the implementation of the project in collaboration with the Ragama Blood and Rehabilitation Hospital and the National Hospital in Sri Lanka. The components of this project are planned to be implemented by improving the services provided to disabled persons by the Ragama Blood and Rehabilitation Hospital and enhancing the facilities for local production of assistive devices for disabled persons under the Accident and Orthopedic Service of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to implement the aforementioned project using the provision of Rs. 630.2 million within the Medium Term Budget Proposal 2025-2027.

Project to procure printing machines and equipment equipped with modern technology for the Government Printing Department

The Government Printing Department fulfills all the confidential and other printing needs of the Government of Sri Lanka with the required quality, in full confidentiality and responsibly, encountering open market competition. However, the Government Printing Department has faced challenges such as the lack of adequate modern technology printing machines and equipment, frequent breakdowns in the operation of the machines, high operating costs, and high labor utilization. Accordingly, a development project has been planned to be implemented to achieve the objectives of increasing the capacity of printing activities, creating an environment for safe printing activities, and engaging in printing activities competitively with the non -governmental sector through the purchase of modern technology printing machines and related equipment. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to implement the aforementioned project within the period 2026-2030.

12. Procurement for the supply of 1,900,000 vials of 1 gram of Meropenem vaccine.

International competitive bids have been invited for the purchase of Meropenem vaccine, which is used to treat a wide range of acute bacterial infections. Six bids have been received for that purpose. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to award the procurement for the supply of 1,900,000 vials of 1 gram of Meropenem vaccine to the substantially lowest responsive bidder, United Biotech (Pvt) Ltd (Manufacturer: United Biotech (Pvt) Ltd, India) for a total amount of US$ 1.99 million, including costs and freight charges.

13. Amendment to the Strategic Development Project Act No. 14 0f 2008

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted policy approval to amend the Strategic Development Project Act No. 14 of 2008 at the cabinet meeting held on 07-07-2025. Accordingly, the clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the draft prepared by the Legal Draftsman. Consequently, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by His Excellency the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to publish the aforementioned draft in the Government Gazette and to submit the said draft to Parliament for approval thereafter.

14. Repealing of the Post Office Guarantee Fund Ordinance of No.1 of 1931 and preparing of a new Act to suit the current need

The Cabinet of Ministers has given approval for the amendment of the Post Office Guarantee Fund Ordinance No. 1 of 1931 at the cabinet meeting held on 07-03-2022. Since it has been proposed to completely amend certain sections of the aforementioned Ordinance and to include new sections, it has been deemed more appropriate to introduce a new Act to suit present needs instead of further amending the aforementioned Ordinance. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to instruct the Legal Draftsman to repeal the Post Office Guarantee Fund Ordinance No. 1 of 1931 and prepare a new Act (282 Authority).

15. Presentation of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and the Judiciary (Amendment) Bill (Prohibition of Trafficking in Dangerous Drugs in the Deep Sea) to Parliament.

The cabinet meeting held on 23-06-2025 has approved the amendment of the Poisonous, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance No. 17 of 1929 to introduce the provisions on the transportation of dangerous drugs at sea and other incidental amendments, and the amendment of the Judiciary Act No.2 of 1978 to confer local jurisdiction on the High Court of Sri Lanka to try and determine criminal cases on filing indictment for offences committed by any person on the deep seas. Accordingly, the relevant draft laws have been prepared by the Legal Draftsman and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the aforementioned draft. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to publish aforesaid draft in the Gazette of the Government of Sri Lanka and to submit to the Parliament for the approval thereafter.

16. Appointment to the Post of Surveyor General

Mr. Y. G. Gnanathilaka served as the Surveyor General of Sri Lanka Survey Department got retired from government service from 01.10.2025. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to appoint Mr. N. K. U. Rohana, the senior most Additional Surveyor General of Sri Lanka Surveyors’ Service to the post of Surveyor General which is vacant at present with immediate effect.

17. Submission of the revised regulation of International Telecommunication Operators Levy (Imposition) No. 1 of 2010 for approval of the Parliament.

In par with section 22 (1) of the Finance Act No. 11 of 2004, the Minister of Finance, Policy Planning and Economic Development is vested with the power of imposing the tax rates of international telecommunication operator by issuing regulations published in the government gazette notification. Accordingly the regulation of International Telecommunication Operators Levy (Imposition) No. 1 of 2010 published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 1662/1 dated 12.07.2010 amended finally by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2312/80 dated 01.01.2023 has further been amended by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2430/14 of 01.04.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers have granted approval for the proposal furnished by His Excellency the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Planning and Economic Development to submit the amended regulation to the Parliament for its concurrence.

18. Appointment to the post of Director General of the National Planning Department.

Mrs. J. M. S. D. Rathnayaka served in the post of Director General of the National Planning Department got retired from the government service on 21.09.2025 vacating the post. Applications are invited from the officials in the Special Grade of Sri Lanka Planning Service to identify an officer appropriate for the post. Accordingly, based on the recommendations of the interview board the Cabinet of Ministers have granted approval for the proposal furnished by His Excellency the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Planning and Economic Development to appoint Mr. K. T. I. Premarathne of the Special Grade of Sri Lanka Planning Service to the post of Director General of the National Planning Department.

19. Signing the United Nations Convention against Cybercrimes (UNCC)

The United Nations Convention against Cyber Crimes (UNCC) was passed at the 55^th main session of the General Assembly of the United Nation in December 2024 and it is a global access for prepared to find solutions for many critical cybercrimes. Sri Lanka possess the ability to prevent cybercrimes and fight against them, strengthen the cooperation, re – acquire the assets, protecting witnesses and victims and gain technological support and capacity building etc., by joining this new convention. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the joint resolution furnished by His Excellency the President in his office as the Minister of Digital Economy, the Minister of Justice and National Integration and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to sign the United Nation’s Convention against Cybercrimes.

20. Conducting a feasibility study and preparation of a detailed plan for extension of Kalaniweli railway track up to Rathnapura.

Rupees 250 million has been allocated for inauguration of initial work pertaining to extension of Kalaniweli railway track further from Awissawella proposing to extend the track beyond Awissavella which is operative at present with the objective of supplying efficient railway services and modification of public transport facilities under modification of railway transport from the budget 2025. It has been proposed to re – build the said railway track parallel to the previous railway track, and conducting a feasibility study and a detailed plan preparation is required for this. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Acting Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development for implementation of the relevant procurement process to select a consultation services institution for the purpose.