Decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers on 20.11.2023
1. Introduction of mechanism for dispute prevention and dispute resolution in public
service
With the aim of introducing a mechanism similar to the private sector for the prevention
and resolution of disputes in the public service, the Cabinet of Ministers in the meeting
held on 16.11.2020 has approved the implementation of a pilot project for a mechanism
based on the concepts of social dialogue, consultation, mediation and arbitration for
preventing and resolving disputes in the Public Service. Accordingly, the relevant pilot
project has been implemented in 4 workplaces in the field of health and transportation
by obtaining technical financial support from the International Labor Organization. It
has been confirmed that due to the operation of the pilot workplace forums established
under the pilot project, cooperation between the concerned parties will develop and a
basis for dispute prevention and dispute resolution will be created. Pilot workplace
forums have been established under the pilot project. As a result of their operation, it has
been found that cooperation between the concerned parties has developed and a
foundation for dispute prevention and dispute resolution has been created. Accordingly
the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Proposal presented by the Hon. Prime Minister in
his capacity as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Council
and Local Government to proceed as follows based on the success achieved by the
implementation of the said pilot project.
Establishment of workplace forums in government institutions.
Establishment of sectoral forums comprising representatives of trade unions and
management for Health, Transport, Ports and Shipping, Power and Energy,
Education and other sectors.
Establishment of National State Dialogue Forum comprising representatives of
Trade Unions, relevant Ministries/Sectoral Councils, Director Generals of
Institutions and representatives of the Departments of Management Services.
Establishment of 09 Provincial Conciliation Boards at the provincial level.
Establishment of a National Arbitration Pool under the Ministry of Public
Administration.
2. Entering into a partnership agreement between Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
and Michigan State University of United States of America
The two parties have agreed to enter into a partnership agreement between Rajarata
University of Sri Lanka and Michigan State University, USA, with the aim of
developing capacity, building research collaborations and developing innovations and
grassroots level inputs related to sustainable agriculture. The proposed draft agreement
has received the approval of the Ministry of foreign Affairs and the clearance of the
Attorney General. As such the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by
the Minister of Education to sign the proposed agreement.
3. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Sri Lanka Press Council
and Press Council of India
A memorandum of understanding related to the development of knowledge and skills of
journalists by conducting subject workshops and seminars, implementation of resource
exchange programs between the two parties, activities related to the development of
media ethics and the promotion of media freedom and peaceful use of media. for a
period of 5 years was signed on 16.11.2018 between Sri Lanka Press Board and Indian
Press Board for cooperation between the two parties. The period of the said MoU has
now expired and it is planned to sign a new MoU for another 5 years. The proposed draft
agreement has been approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . Accordingly the
cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Mass Media to
sign the MoU above.
4. Revision of permissible Aflatoxin levels for food supplement programs including
Triposha for children aged 6 months to 3 years
Triphosha is provided under the Maternal and Child Health Program implemented by the
Ministry of Health as a supplementary food for children with low nutritional level from
6 months to 3 years of age and as an additional nutrient for pregnant and lactating
mothers. But due to the stringent permissible limits for total Aflatoxins prescribed in the
existing regulations under the Food Act No. 26 of 1980, it has become difficult to
procure maize for the production of Triphosa. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers
approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health to apply the limit of level
5ppb for type B1 and level 10 ppb of total Aflatoxin in internationally recognized food
supplements.
5. To develop and maintain theOld " Cey - Bank Rest Building and Land" located at
Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Nuwara Eliya.
Competitive investment proposals have been invited from private sector investors to
redevelop and maintain the old Cey-bank Rest building and land on Queen Elizabeth
Mawatha, Nuwara Eliya, owned by the Urban Development Authority. After evaluating
the proposals submitted, the Cabinet Appointed Standing Negotiation Committee has
submitted its recommendation. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the
proposal based on that recommendation of the said committee presented by the
Minister of Urban Development to lease the property mentioned above to “Colonial
Properties Private Limited” for a lease period of 50 years.
06. The plan for the implementation of the agreement between the Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Israel on engaging Sri
Lankan labour in service.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on
05.02.2020 to enter into an agreement with the Government of Israel for temporarily
engaging Sri Lankan labour in precise labour market sectors in the State of Israel and to
sign a basic document between the two parties in this regard. In terms of the said
agreement, the Population, Immigration and Territory Authority of that country expects
to recruit labour for agricultural activities of Israel. Accordingly, the notification
submitted by the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment informing that the two
parties signed the implementation plan on 06.11.2023 was taken into consideration by
the Cabinet of Ministers
07. Introduction of the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission for electronic media.
The resolution furnished by the Minister of Mass Media to prepare a broadcasting
regulatory commission for electronic media with the objective of ensuring a precise
media practice in order to safeguard the maximum freedom of speech and expression
was taken for discussion at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 22.09.2022.
At the meeting, a Cabinet Sub – Committee headed by the Minister of Justice, Prison
Affairs and Constitutional Reforms was appointed for the submission of
recommendations on the policy matters that should be taken into account when drafting
the proposed bill, and the said sub - committee has prepared a fundamental draft with
appropriate provisions that can be taken into consideration at the preparation of the draft
bill of the proposed broadcasting regulatory commission. The Cabinet of Ministers
granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Mass Media to direct the
Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill based on the said fundamental draft.
08. Draft Bill of Sri Lanka Electricity Act
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to introduce a new electricity act to cater to
the contemporary socio – economic and administrative requirements when introducing
institutional reformations for the electricity sector. Accordingly, clearance from the
Attorney General has been received for the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the proposal furnished by
the Minister of Electricity and Power to publish the draft bill in the Government gazette
and to subsequently furnish it to the Parliament for their concurrence.
09. Discussions on the proposed Sri Lanka – Thailand Free Trade Agreement
(SLTFTA)
It is expected to sign the agreement on the proposed Sri Lanka – Thailand Free Trade
Agreement (SLTFTA) on 03.02.2024, subsequent to the completion of the rounds of
discussions in the regard by the month of December 2023. In concurrence with the
agreements entered at rounds 06 and 07 of the said discussions, the Cabinet of Ministers
decided to grant approval to the customs levy releasing programme of Sri Lanka which
had been prepared to enable the release of 80% of the combined categorized serial
numbers within a period of 15 years based on the combined categorized serial numbers
of 2022, to partially release 5% of the combined categorized serial numbers within a
period of 15 – 18 years, and to include the remaining 15% of the combined categorized
serial numbers to the minus list, when the Hon. President submitted the same to them for
their consent.
10. Granting approval for Companies not under the Board of Investment but existing
at present / Companies approved under section 16 of the Board of Investment Act
No. 4 of 1978 under section 17 of the Board of Investment Act No. 4 of 1978.
It has been observed that much investor attraction has been received for investing in the
entities that had not been under the Sri Lanka Board of Investment after they had been
taken under the Board. Especially with the recognition and the security their enterprises
may receive, foreign investors are encouraged to enter into agreements with the Sri
Lanka Board of Investment. Accordingly, an order has been enforced by the
extraordinary gazette notification dated 01.06.2023 in terms of the powers vested with
the subject Minister of Investment Promotions under section 24 of the Board of
Investment Act; introducing provisions so that Sri Lanka Board of Investment is eligible
for taking action. The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal submitted
by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotion to submit
the said order to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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In the event of any inconsistency between the Tamil and English translations of this document,
the Sinhala text shall prevail.
