Cabinet decisions

Protective Jackets from Local Manufacturers

COLOMBO: The Cabinet has granted the approval to a Cabinet Memorandum presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order to entrust the contract for the manufacturing of the protective wear for the Sri Lanka Army.

The provision of ballistic related protective jackets to the soldiers, especially those who are deployed in operational areas is one of the vital aspects to be met with the present security situation.

As there is no readily available alternative to fulfill this critical need, Secretary / Defence has obtained concurrence from the Secretary / Finance having highlighted the critical need to procure protective wear from the local market.

The contract will be given to M/s Harsha International (Pvt) Ltd at a total cost of Rs. 1,702,000,000.00 (inclusive of VAT 15%) payment will be settled in accordance with the respective delivery schedules provided for which a formal acceptance procedures shall be included.

A down payment of 25% of the total contract sum on a bank guarantee and a balance 75% will be paid on acceptance.

Development of Kalpitiya Dutch Bay Island

THE Cabinet has granted the approval to a Cabinet Memorandum presented by Anura Bandaranaike, the Minister of Tourism for the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, to award the first phase and the second phase infrastructure developments of the Kalpitiya Duch Bay Island project to the Urban Development Authority to be undertaken with the State Engineering Corporation subject to approvals and clearances from the Central Environmental Authority, Coast Conservation Department, Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Defence.

The Kalpitiya Dutch Bay Island Project will be initiated in 5,000 acres of land under the total expenditure of Rs. 350 million.

The Sri Lanka Tourist Board will meet the total expenditure out of the Embarkation levy, which is being collected to the development fund consultation with the Ministry of Finance.

Buildings of the Postal Department to be reconstructed

THE Cabinet has granted the approval to a Cabinet Memorandum presented by D. M. Jayaratne the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications to transfer and to complete the reconstruction/ repairing of the buildings of the Postal Department, which have been destroyed from tsunami disaster, under turn-key basis by the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau. Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau is the leading Institution in the field of construction and an affiliated Institution of the Government.

This action is followed by the informing of the Eastern Builders Construction Institute, who was originally an eligible Tenderer that they would not be able to complete this contract during the period agreed to do so, due to unfavorable condition of security prevailing in the Eastern province.

Lack of enough time remaining to invite open tenders again and to transfer the contract to get completed this project before the end of 2006, led to get this work completed under the turn-key basis.

New building complex and a laboratory for the Government Analyst's Department

THE Cabinet has granted the approval to a Cabinet Memorandum presented by Amarasiri Dodangoda, the Minister of Justice and Law Reforms to entrust the consultancy services and the construction work of the New Building Complex for the Government Analyst's Department, to the Central Engineering and Consultancy Bureau under the Design and Built method.

The estimated cost for the completion of this project is Rupees 586 million. The new laboratory and the office complex will be constructed in a land situated at Isuru Mawatha, Pelawatte, and Battaramulla.

National Health Laboratory Policy

THE Cabinet has granted the approval to a Cabinet Memorandum presented by Nimal Siripala De Silva, the Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition to declare the proposed draft as the National Health Laboratory policy of the Government so that the contents of the policy can be implemented by authorities for development of laboratory services in Sri Lanka.

Laboratory investigation is an essential and integral part of Healthcare services in both curative and preventive sectors.

Since most the diseases demand laboratory investigations for accurate diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment monitoring and continuation.

Hence, both public and private sector health authorities have taken steps to establish laboratories in their health institutions.

As there is no proper mechanism for monitoring and regulating these laboratories and it's invariably a technical organization and the reports produced are highly vital for human life and health. It is imperative to maintain laboratory standards.

Thus, implementation of the policy and necessary regulations and legislation should be enacted in due course.

The draft policy was developed over a period of more than two years after consulting all stakeholders, experts including WHO advisor and general public.

Sri Lanka Environmental Resources Centre (SLERC)

THE Cabinet has granted the approval to a Cabinet Memorandum presented by Maithripala Sirisena, the Minister of Environment to establish the Sri Lanka Environmental Resources Centre under the Companies Act to be located at Polgolla to conduct environment related trainings and to provide specialized services. The share capital will be mobilized in the following manner.

Rs. 5 million from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau.

Rs. 4 million from the State Timber Corporation.

Rs. 20 million from the Central Environmental Authority.

The institution will be able to generate its own funds by offering its services and will be able to operate as a business entity.

The expertise required for the Centre will have to be mobilized from other professional and academic institutions and private sector as well.

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand and Sri Lankan Universities have already expressed their interest to work as partner organizations by offering their expertise.

Permanent Building for the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

THE Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Maithripala Sirisena, the Minister of Environment, to spend Rs. 350 million for the construction of the building for the Head Office of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) in two stages.

The engineering activities of this construction will be assigned to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) on Turn-key basis. The Building will be constructed on a land owned by the State Timber Corporation, located in Orugodawatta.

The building will be comprised with most of the modern facilities which are needed to overcome the difficulties faced by the staff of the GSMB in the process of providing the services expected by the general public.

Computer Laboratories for schools

THE Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by A. D. Susil Premajayantha, the Minister of Education, to provide a sum of Rs. 35 million in order to implement Computer laboratories for 30 schools existing under the Provincial Councils out of the financial provisions allocated to the Ministry of Education for the Information and Communication Technology Education.

The funds will be utilized for providing computers at the rate of 10 computers each with network facilities for each school and the relevant computer equipment. Information and Communication Technology is at present implemented within the school curriculum as a technical subject for Ordinary Level and as the General Information Technology for the Advanced Level.

In addition to that this subject is proposed to be introduced as a subject in the Advanced Level Stream in year 2008.

Relief to students obtaining degrees from Universities while engaged in National Colleges of Education.

THE Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by A. D. Susil Premajayantha, the Minister of Education, to provide relief for the students who have followed Degree courses as internal students while they were undergoing training in a college of Education within the same time limit.

If the date validity of the Degree is from 31.12.2003 or from a prior date, action will be taken to pay the Graduate salary from the effective date of the Degree or from the date of appointment which ever date comes later and to place him/her on relevant grade in Sri Lanka Teachers' Service in terms of other instructions issued relating to the service.

However, in preparing Graduate Teacher salaries of these teachers the total amount incurred by the Government for their study of the Course in the College of Education should be recovered from their salaries.

A 300 Mw Power Plant at Mirissa

THE Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by W. D. J. Senviratne, the Minister of Power and Energy to establish a 450 Mw power plant at Mirissa with the development of a LNG terminal.

As per the MoU signed between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Sri Lanka, Ministry of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Iran will assist this project.

A feasibility study will be carried out in this connection. Iran is highly developed in power plant manufacturing industry and is able to meet the domestic requirement of power plant construction. Sri Lanka power industry can benefit through mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Court complex of Galle to be Re-located

THE Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Finance and Planning for the reconsideration of the Cabinet on the transfer of the land and the property belonging to the department of Irrigation at Beligaha Handiya in Galle, to the Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms for the purpose of re-locating the court complex of Galle.

This was requested after considering the cabinet memorandum submitted by M. I. Anver Ismail, the Minister of Irrigation to reconsider the relocation due to the difficulties, which the Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms has not foreseen.

Amendment to the Regulations made under the Finance act No. 11 of 2006

THE Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, the Acting Minister of Finance and Planning to present the Gazettes in Parliament for approval, in compliance with the Section 8(3) of the Finance Act No. 11 of 2006 on films, tele-dramas and commercials produced outside Sri Lanka and imported into Sri Lanka, for the purpose of being telecast.

The regulations were amended considering the request made by various parties. The relevant regulations were published in Gazette Extraordinary No.1465/21 of October 05 and the section 8 of the Act requires the regulations to be published in the Gazette and thereafter to be placed before Parliament for approval.

Orders made under Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52).

THE Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, the Acting Minister of Finance and Planning to present the Gazettes notification No. 1465/14 of 5th October 2006, under Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) in Parliament for approval.

Accordingly new value for the Wine is Rs. 275/=, Molasses, Palmyra, Coconut and Process Arrack will be Rs. 421/= and the Country-made foreign liquor will be Rs. 550/=.

Appointment of Officers to the Former President's Office

THE Cabinet has granted the approval to a Cabinet Memorandum presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the appointment of officers to the Posts of Director and Assistant Secretary (Non SLAS) of the Office of the former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Accordingly, Mrs. T. Manel Abeyratne will be appointed to the post of Director in the Office on temporary basis effective 01.03.2006.

Her salary will be Rs. 36,755 per month. She will be provided with a monthly Fuel Allowance equivalent to the entitlement of a Head of Department or officers of comparable standing and any other prescribed facilities.

Mrs. H. M. L. Podimenike will be appointed to the post of Assistant Secretary in the Office of the former President on temporary basis effective 01.03.2006. Her salary will be Rs. 22,935 per month. She will be provided with other facilities the post of Assistant Secretary (Non- SLAS) is entitled to.