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| Friday, 13 August 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| Cabinet decisions by Manjula Fernando and Nadira Gunatilleke Cabinet approval has been given to a Cabinet paper presented by Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to 'Gemi Diyawara' program. Under this program, 500 wells will be constructed before the end of this year. The main objective of this program is supplying quality drinking water for rural and semi urban destitute people through constructing rural shallow wells and domestic wells. The program will be implemented with financial assistance of donor institutions, personal donors, sponsors and Sri Lankans employed abroad. Cabinet approval was also given to a Cabinet paper presented by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to accelerate the drought relief program. According to that Cabinet paper, Rs.1460 will be granted for each drug victim's family instead of Rs.1460 worth goods provided for them earlier. The President has decided to grant Rs.50 million to the Department of Social Services to provide drought relief. It was also decided to provide water to drought victims free of charge using 50 bowsers belonging to the Armed Forces. Cabinet approval has also given to a cabinet paper presented by Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Vijitha Herath to draft laws to halt private tuition classes from 6.00 am to 12.00 noon on Sundays. The Cabinet decided to direct the subject to the Attorney General's Department to draft necessary laws. The main objective of this decision is protecting and enhancing religious education given to the children by religious institutions belonging to all religions. Cabinet approval has been given to another Cabinet paper presented by Minister Herath to alter the time duration of mid day dana of Bhikkus who teach at State schools and Pirivenas. It was 11.20 am to 12.00 and it will be 11.30 am to 12.00 noon. Cabinet approval was received to allocate Rs.150 million to buy tyers for 4500 buses. This will fulfil one of the UPFA's election pledges to restore the country's transport service. The Cabinet has taken a decision to grant funds to the farmers' organisations and to Rural Tank Committees to implement the `10,000 Tanks Rehabilitation Project'. The funds will be granted to Rural Tank Committees set up adjoining to farmers' committees if the farmers' organisations are weak or not active in the relevant area. A sum of Rs.50 million has already been given to three District Secretaries in the Hambantota, Ampara and Polonnaruwa to buy paddy produced in the Yala season. |
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