Cabinet Decisions

International Buddhist Conference in Kandy

The Cabinet has approved to a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Minister of Religious Affairs, on the holding of an International Buddhist Conference to commemorate the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi at the International Buddhist Centre in Kandy centering the Malwatta and Asgiriya Maha Viharas together with the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

It is expected that 150 delegates from 22 countries and Sri Lanka will take part in this conference. It will be held on August 11 and 12. It is also expected that 1,000 academics, both local and foreign, also will attend the inaugural ceremony.

*****************

Five new courts to be established

The Cabinet has approved to a memorandum submitted by Justice and Law Reform Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda on the construction of courts in Tangalle, Nawalapitiya, Marawila, Chavakachcheri and Mallakam at Rs. 537 million.

The Minister said in his memorandum that some of the courts are housed in buildings constructed many years back and facilities available are very limited. This has caused much inconvenience to the litigants, lawyers, as well as the judges. The Ministry of Nation Building and Development has already provided finance for the construction of court complexes in Chavakachcheri and Mallakam.

*****************

Innovative approaches for managing plastic wastes

The Cabinet has approved to a memorandum submitted by Environment Minister Maithripala Sirisena on minimising environmental impacts due to plastic wastes. The Plastic Partnership Committee has developed a two-year action plan titled Project Proposal for the National Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management Program.

The project includes the construction of a treatment plant and ground water reservoirs, improvement of transmission and distribution systems, installation of necessary pumps and motors. The External Resources Department will negotiate with the Netherlands to secure the mixed credit facility of Euro 40 million for the implementation of this project.

*****************

Conversion of home guard services into a department

The Cabinet has approved to a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Minister of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order to convert the Home Guard Service into a department. Cadres of Home Guard Force has been confined to 20,000 in January.

However, due to the prevailing situation, this cadre of the force has to be increased up to 35,000 to strengthen the security. Therefore, the Cabinet recommended to establish a new Civil Security Department in place of present home guard service.

*****************

Railway line from Panadura to Horana

The Cabinet has approved to a memorandum submitted by New Rail Road Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera on the construction of a railway line from Panadura to Horana at Rs. 5,300 million.

The length of the new track is 18.5 kilometres. This new line will help thousands of employees to travel to and from their work places, transportation of agricultural and industrial products. It will reduce a consumption of fuel, travel time and enormous reduction of environmental pollution. It will also provide employment opportunities for the youth of the area.

*****************

Posts in the information technology field

The Cabinet has approved to a memorandum submitted by Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Sarath Amunugama on the posts in the information technology field. With the commencement of the use of computers for office work, a large number of various posts relating to such computer technology has arisen within the Public Service.

Therefore, a separate combined service in the Public Service in respect posts dispersed within the information technology field.

*****************

French assistance for the construction industry

The Cabinet has approved to a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Minister of Finance, on the French assistance for the construction industry.

The Agency Francaise de Development (AFD), the French Government Agency financing has agreed to provide a credit facility of Euro 10 million to strengthen the capacity of the Sri Lanka construction industry to facilitate its participation in the large projects launched for post-tsunami reconstruction work.