01. Establishment of Sri Lanka Institution of Economics and Trade Institute.
It is essential for the Members of Parliament as well as the government officers to obtain training
on economic and trade activities so that entering into decisions with understanding is possible
when formulating national policies and implementing them. Therefore, it has been recognized as
appropriate that an entity named “Sri Lanka Institution of Economic and Trade be established
Institute” to enable provision of necessary facilities. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers
approved the resolution furnished by the Hon. President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft
a bill for the establishment of Sri Lanka Institution of Economics and Trade.
02. Establishment of a training centre for Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau in the
district of Monaragala.
Although Monaragala is the second largest district geographically, no office or a training centre
of SLFEB has been in operation in that district. The closest training centre to that district are
Haliela training centre in Badulla district, Tangalle training centre in Hambantota district and
Ampara district training centre. While the training center along side the Monaragala - Bibila
highway which is under the supervision of the Department of Divi Neguma is suitable for
establishing a district training centre for Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, it may be
possible to provide required training facilities for foreign employment seekers in low income
families in the district of Monaragala. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to
the joint resolution furnished by the Hon. President as the Minister of Women, Child Activities
and Social Empowerment and the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment to entrust the
training centre along the Monaragala – Bibila highway under the supervision of the Department
of Divineguma with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau
03. Introduction of new VISA categories for Colombo Port City.
Issuance of VISA and fulfilling other relevant activities to the investors and other relevant parties
expected to arrive for various services such as international trade, navel and monitoring, financial,
information technology and tourism etc. that is expected to be established in the Colombo Port
City should be done by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Accordingly, the Cabinet
of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Public Security to take
necessary steps to introduce following VISA categories subject to the recommendations of the
Colombo Port City Commission:
‘Investment VISA’ category for investors under residential VISA category.
‘Employment VISA’ for employees
‘CPC residential property lease vendor’ VISA category for foreigners who reside
within the Colombo Port City on lease.
04. Rural financing programme implemented under small tea and rubber estate restoration
project.
The Government of Sri Lanka and the International Fund for Agricultural Development has
entered into an agreement for implementing the Small Tea and Rubber Estate Restoration Project.
‘Rural Financing Programme’ is implemented under that project and is scheduled to be wound up
from 31.12.2022. Another Rs.172.35 million from the allocated sum for the said programme is
to be released to the beneficiaries as loans. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the
proposal furnished by the Minister of Plantation Industries to extend the period of the said
programme until 30.06.2023.
05. Finding additional provisions for enhancement and conservation of the National Art
Gallery.
Although renovation activities of National Art Gallery were planned to be completed within this
year, it could not have been completed due to the situation prevailed within the country.
Approximately 80% of the relevant renovation has been completed by now and plans and
estimations relevant to the completion of the remaining work has been prepared by the
architecture faculty of the University of Moratuwa. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers
approved the proposal furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
to receive required provisions to completed the remaining renovation activities within the year
2023.
06. Extension of credit validity period of the Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement
Assistance Project.
The Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Assistance Project is being implemented under
two grants from the Asian Development Fund, the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility
and the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. The date of completion of the project under 4 packages
has been extended up to 29.11.2023. Accordingly, the Cabinet approval was granted for the
proposal made by the Minister of Power and Energy to extend the validity period of the Asian
Development Bank credit facility up to 31.03.2024in order to secure the necessary funds.
07. Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Sri Lanka (Incorporation) Bill
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Sri Lanka was established in 1987 under the Ceylon
Shipping Corporation with the patronage of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers of England.
The Institute is comprised of Fellow Members and Associate Members and the main objective of
the Institute is to confirm and enhance the professional competence of the Shipbrokers. Providing
opportunities to promote the professional training skills of the members in the field through
educational programs, conferences and workshops and to provide training opportunities for the
youth community interested in the field are also among the objectives of the Institute.
Mr.Buddhika Pathirana, Member of Parliament for Matara District has submitted a personal
proposal to Parliament to establish this institution through an Act of Parliament in order to
perform its activities more formally and effectively, and the Attorney Generals Clearance has
been received for the Bill prepared. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal
presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation to submit a report to the
Parliament recommending the said Bill in accordance with the provisions of Standing Orders
52(6) of the Parliament.
08. Submission of Regulations issued under the Imports & Exports (Control) Act NO.1 of
1969 for Parliamentary Approval
The proposal presented by Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic
Stability and National Policies to present “Imports & Exports (Control) Regulations No. 21 of
2022” and “ Import control regulations for payment Terms no 22 of 2022” issued under the
Imports and Exports (Control) Act No.1 of 1969 for parliamentary approval was approved by the
Cabinet of Ministers
.
09. Establishment of an office for the affairs of Sri Lankans living abroad
In the Interim Budget 2022, the Honorable President has proposed to establish an office for the
affairs of Sri Lankans living abroad, as a central coordination center, to get their assistance to the
country. Accordingly the cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs to establish the proposed “office for the affairs of Sri Lankans living abroad”
under the Presidential Secretariat enabling the receipt of their assistance to Sri Lanka.
10. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Bill
Approval for the preparation of the Central Bank Act was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on
29.10.2019. The Central Bank Bill prepared accordingly has been published in the Government
Gazette on 01.01.2019. Although this was submitted to Parliament for approval, it was not
included in the agenda book. New amendments have been added to the original Bill and improved
to suit the current needs so that the activities of the Central Bank can be performed more
efficiently and effectively. The Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of finance,
Economic Stability and National Policies presented the Bill prepared accordingly by the legal
draftsman and the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers granted.
11. Evaluating the contribution of Upcountry Tamils to the Sri Lankan Economy
The Upcountry Tamil people who migrated from India and live in central, Sabaragamuwa and
Southern provinces have been contributing to the national economy in various ways for about 200
years. Their contribution is about 1/3 of the total income of the plantation sector. By February
2023, it will be 200 years since the arrival at first generations of the Up-Country Tamil
community to Sri Lanka. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers agreed to the resolution made
by The Hon. President to implement the identified programs with the aim of improving their
living conditions of this community through the Ministry of Plantation and Other relevant
Government Bodies.
