Cabinet decisions

Rs. 8.0 million to renovate Kandy Cultural Centre

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Tourism Minister Hon. Anura Bandaranaike on the renovation of refurbishing the Kandyan Cultural Centre. Cultural legacy of Sri Lanka is a unique selling point to promote tourism and the Kandyan Cultural Centre plays a vibrant role in this.

To attract more tourists to the Centre it is essential to upgrade its standards and quality. Therefore, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board has expressed its willingness to help the Kandyan Arts Association to upgrade this property by spending Rs.8.0 million through the District of Kandy with the full-scale refurbishment work.

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CECB to repair A'Pura General Hospital

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on the repairing of Anuradhapura General Hospital.

The General Hospital which is one of the major hospitals in the North Central Province, was taken over by the Central Government recently and several construction works have been identified for immediate completion. The Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) has submitted an estimate for the above construction for Rs. 77,704,438.

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Increase of grants to Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara Pirivenas

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Education Minister A.D. Susil Premajayantha on the increase of the annual cumulative grant for the Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara Maha Pirivenas.

These are institutions maintained under a cumulative grant paid by the Education Ministry. Rs. 5 million is allocated annually at the rate of Rs. 2.5 million each. The Cabinet has approved to increase the grant to each institution at the rate of Rs. 5 million from this year onwards.

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Amendments to the Medical Ordinance

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on the Amendment to the Medical Ordinance. As it has become necessary to revise certain sections of the Medical Ordinance due to new developments in the medical field, the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) initiated the process to amend the Ordinance and had consultations with the stakeholders.

During the consultation views from Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) and the SLMC were received. The SLMC appointed a sub-committee to review the proposed amendments. The final draft was prepared and approved by the sub committee and ratified by the SLMC.

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Decent work policy and plan of action for Sri Lanka

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Labour Relations and Foreign Employment Minister Athauda Senevirathne on the implementation of decent work policy and plan of action for Sri Lanka.

The Cabinet has approved to implement activities under the Plan of Action for Decent Work, to appoint an inter-ministerial committee to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the plan and to make available funds from the Budget when project proposals are submitted in respect of the activities in the plan of action.

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National Institute of Language Education and Training

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera on the establishment of a National Institute of Language Education and Training. The cost of the project would amount to Rs.140 million.

Attorney General K.C. Kamalasabayson, P.C. had indicated that the provisions of the draft Bill on the establishment of a National Institute of Language Education Training are not inconsistent with the Constitution.

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Medical Ward Complex at the National Hospital

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva on the construction of third medical ward complex at the National Hospital.

The National Hospital is the apical referral centre and the largest teaching hospital in the island. Thus it has become necessary to build a separated third ward block to minimise the over-crowding in the wards. The State Engineering Corporation would undertake the construction of the block.

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Vehicle Emission Testing Centres to be opened

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Railways and Transport Minister A.H.M. Fowzie to sign an agreement approved by the Attorney General for the Establishment of Vehicle Emission Testing Centres.

Research and studies carried out recently have shown that the vehicular emission is the main contributory factor of air pollution especially in the urban and the suburban areas in the country. The Motor Traffic Commissioner will sign the Agreement.

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New High Courts in the provinces

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Justice and Law Reform Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda on the establishment of new High Courts of the provinces vested with civil appellate jurisdiction. The proposed High Courts shall be vested with jurisdiction to hear and determine civil appeals arising out of courts of first instance, tribunal or other institution of the respective provinces.

The composition of the proposed court shall be such that there will be not less than two High Court Judges sitting in every session to hear and determine appeals. Since the already existing cadre of the high court judges is not sufficient to fulfil this requirement, it is suggested that the number of the High Court Judges may also be increased by amending the provisions of the Judicature Act, so that the present number could be increased from 40 to 60.

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Sri Lanka Buddha Vihara Devala Foundation (incorporation) Draft Act

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Minister of Religious Affairs on the Sri Lanka Buddha Vihara Devala Foundation (incorporation) Act.

This has been submitted in Parliament by Venerable Ellawala Medhananda Thera M.P. This draft act provides financial assistance to promote and support the education of Buddhist monks, providing of facilities, construction and rehabilitation of new Buddhist places of worship, promoting the educational activities of Silmathas, promoting of Buddhist moral ethics and assisting the Buddhists to improve their economy on Buddhist principles.

The Legal Draftsman, after making certain amendments, had referred the draft Act to the President. The Cabinet has approved to submit the draft Act in the Parliament.