02. Establishment of Millennium Challenge Corporation Project Unit (Document No – 08)
Millennium Challenge Corporation is an agency that provides US foreign aids for minimizing poverty worldwide. It has agreed to provide an investment of USD 700 million to develop the fields of policy instability, access for lands and transport, water and waste water infrastructure, electricity and education for the economic progress of Sri Lanka within next 05 years. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to establish a Millennium Challenge Corporation Project Unit at the Prime Minister's Office to take necessary further action in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
03. Liquidation of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd (RALL) (Document No – 09)
The Cabinet has approved the liquidation of RALL and assign its maritime security to Sri Lanka Navy and its land base security to Civil Security Department on 13-12-2016. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, to appoint a Committee of senior officials to make suitable proposals by studying the liabilities and responsibilities and responsibility on public finance, and to make recommendations on attaching employees of RALL to LRDC Services Private Ltd of Land Reclamation and Development Corporation for affirming their job security, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
04. Census of population and housing 2021 – Mapping stage (Document No – 11)
The census of population and housing is done once in 10 years. The next census is scheduled to be done in 2021 and its preliminary mapping stage based on Grama Niladhari Divisions has been commenced and will continue till April 2020. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to obtain necessary funds in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
05. Establishment of Bio-technology innovation Park (Document No – 16)
Industries and researches regarding bio-technology should be promoted in the country and Rs. 100 million has been allocated for establishment of the Bio-technology Innovation Park in the budget 2017. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology and Research, to establish the Bio-technology Innovation Park in the Nanotechnology and Science Park in Pitipana, Homagama as a public-private partnership, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
06. Excise Notification No. 994 (Gazette Extra ordinary No. 1998/7 dated 20-12-2016) (Document No – 18)
The Department of Excise issued four (04) licence types free with permits for sale of foreign liquor till 2017 and the above gazette notification imposed an annual licence fee of Rs. 100,000/- on these licences and an annual licence fee of Rs. 50,000/- for sale of bottled toddy with effect from 01-01-2017 under the article 25 to be read with article 32 of the Excise Ordinance and the proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, to present the said gazette notification in parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
07. Agreement between Sri Lanka and Myanmar on waiver of Visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official passports (Document No – 22)
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.
08. Entering into agreements for obtaining financial and technological cooperation of the Government of Norway for preparing a long term fisheries policy and action plan (Document No – 23)
The proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to enter into two agreements between Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries of Norway and Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka on the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
09. Agreements between Sri Lanka and Russia on cooperation in fisheries sector (Document No – 24)
The proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to sign the above agreement during the official visit of H.E. the President to Russia scheduled on 22 to 25 of March 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
10. Registration of Electors (Special Provisions) Bill (Document No - 27)
The proposal made by Hon. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Justice, to publish in the gazette and present in the parliament for approval, the Registration of Electors (Special Provisions) Bill drafted for making provisions to facilitate displaced persons to use their right of vote in their permanent residence before they were displaced, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
11. Implementation of rural infrastructure and livelihood development programme (Document No – 28)
Under the above programme 241 infrastructure development programmes and 145 livelihood development programmes were successfully implemented in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa Districts in 2016. It has been identified to expand this programme covering the whole island, with developing public facilities, self-employment projects, and small and medium scale enterprise projects. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. P. Harrison, Minister of Rural Economic Affairs, to expand the programme to Mullaitivu, Galle, Monaragala, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Puttalam and Matale Districts in 2017 and implement through District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries, and relevant public institutions, and to obtain necessary funds, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
12. Agreement for mutual cooperation on trade activities between Sri Lanka and Czech Republic (Document No – 32)
The proposal made by Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, to sign an agreement on mutual cooperation between Ministry of Industry and Trade of Czech Republic and Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade of Sri Lanka on cooperation in trade related affairs, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
13. Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka and China on cooperation for developing investment and production capabilities (Document No – 33)
According to the MoU entered between the two countries during the visit of Hon. Prime Minister to China last year, the National Development and Reform Commission of China has agreed to enter into the above MoU with Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, to sign the proposed MoU among the National Development and Reform Commission of China, Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade of Sri Lanka and International Trade and Policy Development Office of the Prime Minister's Office, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
14. Construction of Mannar – Nadukuda transmission line under Green energy development and energy efficiency improvement investment programme (Document No – 35)
ADB has granted a loan of USD 166.6 million for the second phase of the above programme and it is used for constructing a transmission line of 30 km from Mannar to Nadukuda. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, to award the above contract to the lowest responsive bidder KEC International Limited at a cost of Rs. 1,379.9 million, as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
15. Construction of cold stores in Dambulla and Keppetipola Economic centres – award of contract for consultancy services (Document No – 37)
Budget 2016 has allocated Rs. 2000 million to the Ministry of Rural Economic Affairs for constructing cold stores and a feasibility study done by a committee of intellectuals has recommended constructing two cold stores in Dambulla and Keppetipola economic centres and the cabinet has already given its approval. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. P. Harrison, Minister of Rural Economic Affairs, to award the above contract to Design Consultant Company as recommended by Cabinet Appointed Consultant Procurement Committee at a cost of Rs. 30.1 million without VAT, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. Strengthening of the National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Document No – 38)
A Committee of Officials was appointed to assess the capability of the National Equipment and Machinery Organization by the cabinet of ministers at its meeting held on 09-08-2016. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Minister of Housing and Construction, to award direct contracts without calling for bids by public institutions and to increase the current limit of Rs. 25 million to Rs. 50 million for renting equipment from that organization, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
17. Greater Colombo water and wastewater management Improvement investment programme – project 3 (Document No – 40)
ADB has granted a loan of USD 112.83 million for the above project and it is intended to apply a part of loan for provision of new gravity sewers, force mains and pump stations for Kirulapona Catchment Area. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Faizer Mustafa, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, to award the above contract to lowest competitive bidder M/s Larsen & Toubro Limited at a cost of Rs. 7,015.91 million as recommended by Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
18. Appointment of University of Moratuwa as the consulting agency for construction of Kelaniya Police station (Document No – 42)
The cabinet has already approved the constructing of model police stations enabling a better service in the future. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Sagala Ratnayake, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development, to appoint University of Moratuwa as the consulting agency for construction of Kelaniya Police Station, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
19. Redevelopment of Bambalapitiya flats (Document No – 43)
The proposal made by Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Minister of Housing and Construction, to sign an agreement between National Housing Development Authority and relevant investor including a condition that the investor should remit USD 10 million within 04-06 weeks after the signing of agreement on the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
20. Agreements between Sri Lanka and Russia on cooperation in science, technology and innovation (Document No – 47)
The proposal made by Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology and Research, to sign the above agreement during the official visit of H.E. the President to Russia scheduled on March 2017 between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
21. Implementation of interest subsidy loan schemes proposed through the budget 2017 (Document No – 48)
The budget 2017 has allocated funds for implementing 12 loan schemes in several fields and for the ease of implementation it will be done under 08 schemes through state and private banks. The proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
|
loan scheme |
beneficiaries |
proposed loan amount Rs. |
|
Ran Aswenna |
Farmers, Farmer Organizations, Agro processing establishments, rice mill owners, poultry farmers, ornamental fish farmers, floriculture farmers |
750 million |
|
Govi Navoda |
Small scale farmers and Farmer Organizations |
500,000 |
|
Diri sawiya |
poultry sector |
75 million |
|
Jaya Isura |
Agriculture, fisheries, livestock, floriculture, horticulture, light engineering, printing, tourism, IT, ,manufacturing industry, small and medium scale entrepreneurs in handicrafts, garment |
to 400 million |
|
Riya Shakthi |
School children transport sector |
04 million |
|
Sonduru piyasa |
Low income people who are unable to build their houses |
200,000 |
|
Mehesara |
Registered media personnel |
to 300,000 |
|
Rivi Bala Savi |
General public who purchase solar panel systems for their houses |
350,000 |
22. Memorandum of Understanding between University of Notre Dame in USA and National Aquatic resources research and development agency in Sri Lanka (Document No – 49)
The Notre Dame and NARA has closely worked together for last few years on the Bay of Bengal and have intended to implement a new multi-year programme from 2017 for 05 years. With the objective of formalising this partnership the proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to sign the above MoU during his visit to University of Notre Dame in USA, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
23. Agreements between Sri Lanka and Russia on cooperation in combating crimes and fostering police assistance (Document No – 52)
The cabinet has approved signing such an agreement on 06-06-2014 but it has not been signed yet. The proposal made by Hon. Sagala Ratnayake, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development, to sign the above agreement during the official visit of H.E. the President to Russia scheduled in March 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
24. Obtaining financial assistance of Saudi Riyal 273.75 million (Approximately USD 73 million) from Saudi fund for development for implementation of Wayamba Township development programme (SAR 105 million) and Mahaweli left bank lower basin development project (SAR 168.75 million) (Document No – 53)
The proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, to hold loan negotiations and to enter into loan agreements on the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
25. Kalu Ganga water supply expansion project (Document No – 54)
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agrees to provide a loan of Japanese Yen 31,810 million (Approximately Rs. 42,240 million) for improving 70 years old water supply system in Kalutara District and accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to enter into a loan agreement with JICA, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
26. Rural infrastructure development projects in emerging regions (Document No – 55)
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agrees to provide a loan of Japanese Yen 12,957 million (Approximately Rs. 17,369 million) for the above project and accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to enter into a loan agreement with JICA, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
27. Signing a protocol between Sri Lanka and Russia on cooperation in Cultural sector (Document No – 57)
The proposal made by Hon. S.B. Navinna, Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs, to sign the above protocol during the official visit of H.E. the President to Russia scheduled in March 2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
28. Enter into long-term contracts for purchase of petrol and diesel (Document No – 58)
The proposal made by Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, to award the contracts for purchase of 4,200,000 Bbls of Diesel (Max. sulphur percentage 0.05) and 956,250 Bbls of Petrol (92 Unl) for eight (08) months from 01-03-2017 to 31-10-2017 as recommended by Cabinet Appointed Special Procurement Committee respectively to M/s Swiss Singapore Overseas Pte. Ltd and M/s. Gunvor Singapore Pte. Ltd, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
29. Paddy Purchasing Programme during the Maha season 2015/16 (Document No - 59)
A harvest of 1.32 MT is expected in Maha season 2016/2017 and the government plans to purchase 73,500 MT of them covering 17 districts. Hence, the proposal made by Hon. P. Harrison, Minister of Rural Economic Affairs, to purchase paddy directly from farmers with the cooperation of District Secretaries/Government Agents and to purchase a kilogram of Keeri Samba and other Samba types for Rs. 41/- and a Kilogram of Nadu for Rs. 38/-, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
30. Improving of Institute of Engineering technology, Katunayake (Document No – 60)
The proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, to award the above contract to M/s KUHN International Project GmbH Co KG as recommended by Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee subject to a maximum of Euro 9.5 million for improving the institute to enable increasing of annual enrollment of students from 300 to 500 was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
