02. DeyataKirula National Development Programme – Completion of projects started under the year 2015

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Prime Minister and the Minister of Policy Formulation, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs RanilWickremasinghe to complete the activities of programmes that have been considered as essential for the welfare of the people in the Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Ratnapura district. The remaining work of the projects that have been already started under the DeyataKirula National Development Programme

03. Agreement between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania to waive off the requirement of obtaining Visas for persons holding Diplomatic Passports

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Public Security John Ameratunge to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania to further enhance the friendly relationship between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania in order to waive the requirement of obtaining Visas for persons holding Diplomatic Passports.


04. Prevention of the misuse of the National Flag of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to provide a due honour for the National Flag

It has been observed that the National Flag of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is being used in contrary to the codes of regulations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in the year 1986 in respect of this flag and national flags not prepared in accordance with the standards proclaimed by the Sri Lanka Standards Institutions are being introduced to the market.

Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs Joseph Michael Perera to appoint a committee to prepare an officially accepted decoration flag that can be used at festivals by the government as well as the general public and to instruct the Legal Department to formulate necessary legal framework to make the existing set of regulations as Laws of the country in order to prevent the misuse and dishonouring of the National Flag.


05. A joint agreement between the Ceylon Electricity Board and Trade Unions

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Power and Energy PatalieChampikaRanawaka seeking approval for the agreement reached between the Ceylon Electricity Board and the relevant Trade Unions of the Institution on 2014-12-01, paving the ways and means to enhance the progress of the Ceylon Electricity Board and to strengthen the management relationship between the employees and the Electricity Board.

06. Memorandum of Understanding between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the government of the Russian Federation on relationship relevant to the Mass Media sector

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Mass Media GayanthaKarunatilleke to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the government of the Russian Federation to enhance the development of relationship in the Mass Media sector

07. Completion of the construction work of the KotmaleMahaweliMaha Seya - 2015

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Sports NavinDissanayake to secure the necessary additional allocations from the Treasury to complete the construction work of the KotmaleMahaweliMaha Seya which was started in the year 1983.

08. Allocation of blocks of land from the Regional Industrial Cities for the establishment of Industries

The ‘Regional Industrial Cities Development Programme’ is a main programme being implemented by the Ministry of Industries and Commerce with the objective of developing industries on a regional level. The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by Hon. Minister of Commerce and Industry RishardBathiudeen to allocate blocks of bare land from the Regional Industrial Cities for the establishment of 14 Industries under 35 year tax basis recommended by the Ministry’s Project evaluation committee from 34 project proposals received from investors as a result of public advertisements made recently for the selection of suitable investors based on the financial capabilities of the investors, their tax payment records, payment of Employees Provident Fund dues, progress on repayment of bank loans, generation of employment and environmental friendliness, and reacquisition such lands by the government if the investors fail to take action to establish the proposed industries within the fixed time framework.


09. Construction of a Observatory in the premises of the Sri Lanka Planetarium

The number of persons visiting the Planetarium established in the year 1965 annually, including school children, teachers, naval officers and others amounts to around 200,000. An observation means a place in which in addition to fulfilling the requirements of learning and educational facilities a fantastic atmosphere is provided with exhibition items, equipment and projects to increase enthusiasm. . The Cabinet of Minister approved a proposal made by the Hon. Minister of Higher Education and Research (Dr.) SarathAmunugama to establish an observatory within the premises of the planetarium and to explore the possibility of obtaining financial assistance from International Institutions and organizations that contribute to this kind of activities.

10. Amendment of the Provincial Councils Elections Act no 02 of 1988

The present government has proposed to increase the women's contribution in political decision making in the "MaithriPalanayak" policy statement. The proposal made by Hon. JanakaBandaraTennakoon, the Minister of Provincial Councils and Regional Development, to draft amendments to the Provincial Councils Elections Act no 02 of 1988 by adding provisions to ensure that more than 30% of the total candidates included in nomination papers submitted by political parties or groups should consist of women candidates, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

11. Strengthening the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development for immediate withdrawal of the fish exporting ban of the European Union

Sri Lanka has lost a market of approximately US$ 100 million due to the ban on importing fisheries products from Sri Lanka enacted by the European Union in November 2014. Initial steps have already been implemented for the withdrawal of this ban such as processing the basic legal framework, strengthening the capacity of law enforcement, train and educate partners, and establishment of the craft supervision system.

The proposal made by Hon. MahindaAmaraweera, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to take necessary action for strengthening the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

12. Procurement of 500 MT of full cream milk powder for the production of Thriposha for the year 2015/2016

Thriposha is a nutritional food provided free under the ThriposhaProgramme for malnourished children, pregnant mothers with lack of nutrition and nursing mothers. The annual full cream milk powder requirement for Thriposha production is 500 MT. The proposal made by Hon. RajithaSenarathna, Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine, to procure the full cream milk powder requirement of 500 MT for the year 2015/2016 from the Milco (pvt) Ltd, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

13. Southern Road Connectivity Project funded by the Asian Development Bank - Award of the contract for the supply of consultancy services for implementing the project

The Asian Development Bank has granted a loan of US$ 70 million to the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the Southern Road Connectivity Project. Approximately 33 km of national highways that provide access to the southern expressway will be developed under this loan assistance. The proposal made by Hon. KabirHashim, Minister of Highways and Investment Promotions, to award the contract for supply of consultancy services for this project as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Consultants Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

14. Amendment of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance no 19 of 1931

It was decided at the meeting of the cabinet of ministers held on 22-04-2015 to allow relevant parties to provide their further observations on the Buddhist Temporalities (Amendment) Bill which was drafter to amend several provisions of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance. Accordingly the proposal made by Hon. KaruJayasuriya, Minister of Buddha Sasana, to publish the final draft, which was drafted adding the proposals made by Minister of Justice and the monks representing the SiyamNikaya, in the government gazette as per the recommendation of the Attorney General and thereafter to present it to the parliament, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

15. Proceeding of Theravada BhikkhuKatikavata Registration Bill

The proposal made by Hon. KaruJayasuriya, Minister of Buddha Sasana, to publish the above bill with the recommendation of the Attorney General, in the government gazette and thereafter to present it to the parliament, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

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