Cabinet decisions...

CABINET spokesman Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the Cabinet which met on Wednesday has approved 55 Cabinet memorandums.

The following are some of the important decisions:

Following a Cabinet memorandum submitted by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, Cabinet approval was granted authorising the Road Development Authority to enter into a MoU between the Chinese Metrological Construction Group Cooperation to negotiate with them on the commercial contract to expedite work on the Colombo-Katunayake expressway.

During President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's visit to China, the Chinese Government pledged assistance for this project under concessionary credit facilities.

The Cabinet has approved the Rs. 550 million allocation for 2006 for the development of the upcountry areas under the proposed 'Udarata perata programme.'

The Cabinet has approved to formulate legislation for the protection and management of watersheds. Cabinet approval has been granted to obtain technical consultation services for the construction of Customs headquarters building estimated at Rs. 1.4 billion.

The Cabinet has approved to establish a local office of German Development Assistance Bank in Colombo. Cabinet approval was granted for the construction of an Indigenous Medicine Research Hospital and a Museum affiliated to the hospital at Rs. 40 million.

Cabinet approval has been granted for the development of the Independence Square and its surroundings at Rs. 67.4 million. Cabinet has approved a project for locally assembling domestic water meters. Tenders will be called from those who have the capacity of producing these water meters in Sri Lanka.

The Cabinet has given approval for a housing project at Ampara for State employees. A 15-acre land has been allocated. Cabinet has also approved to adopt a national policy for the construction sector.

Cabinet approval has been granted to commence negotiations with the Chinese Government on the express railway link between Katunayake and Ratmalana.

The Government has decided to waive the housing loan payments due from persons whose houses were destroyed by the tsunami if such loans were obtained from State banks.

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the balance payment of all housing loans up to Rs. 250,000 taken by such persons affected by the tsunami will be waived. UK and RJM