Cabinet decisions

Procurement of Services for Marine Geophysical Survey on Delimitation of Continental Margin of Sri Lanka

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera for the procurement of services for Marine Geophysical Survey Project on Delimitation of the Continental Margin of Sri Lanka (DEOCOM).

GEMS Survey Ltd., has agreed to procure the above services for a down payment of 15% of the evaluated total amount upon signing of the service agreement and 5% upon departure of the vessel from its Port of Origin to Colombo.

Having regard to the requirement of timely finalisation of the Sri Lanka's claim to the Continental Shelf, to the UN Commission on the Continental Shelf, and the fact that seismic vessels are in high demand world over, the Minister has agreed with the decision of the High Level Task Force in the light of the overriding national interest involved in claiming extended maritime resource jurisdiction.

The marine scientific survey is expected to be completed by the end of this year, thus fulfilling the UN requirement.

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Recruiting Development Assistants under the 3rd phase of 'Tharuna Aruna' training programme

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Education Minister Susil Premajayantha on recruiting graduates trained under the 3rd phase of the 'Tharuna Aruna' programme as Development Assistants.

Accordingly, 2,088 graduates who have completed training will be recruited as Development Assistants in schools in their respective districts.

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Compensation for the people affected due to land acquisition for Kekiri Obada Reservoir Project

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Irrigation and Water Management Minister Chamal Rajapaksa for the payment of compensation to the people who are affected due to land acquisition for the Kekiri Obada Reservoir project.

The reservoir is proposed to construct across a tributary of Kirama Oya in the Walasmulla Divisional Secretary's division in the Hambantota district. The reservoir has a capacity of 2.7 MCM and provides supplementary irrigation to 5535 acres benefiting 3437 farmer families.

The project will also provide 0.9 MCM of domestic water for the Tangalle, Walasmulla and Kirama townships benefiting abut 2000 families.

A total of 283 families will be affected from the project and the total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 273 million.

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State Timber Corporation's functions to be expanded

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Champika Ranawaka on expansion of the functions of the State Timber Corporation.

The Corporation which has been established in 1968 has acquired sufficient skills and expertise in the field of timber industry through the experiences of over 40 years and now better positioned itself to embark on a broad-based national mission. Accordingly, following functions are proposed for the expansion process,

a. Identification and certification of local and imported timber species through sample testing.

b. Conduct training programs on timber industry related subjects and issue certificates and undertake environmental awareness programs to contribute towards developing an environmental conscious society.

c. Planning and making investments so as to optimize the return from the lands and buildings owned by the Corporation.

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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 for the establishment of the National Institute of Language Education and Training.

The Institute will be established under the objectives of generating competent teachers to teach Sinhala, Tamil and English languages and competent translators and interpreters in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. The institute will be set up at the building complex belonging to the national Institute of Plantation Management at Galewatte, Dartonfield, Agalawatte.

The former Plantation Industries Minister Milroy Fernando at a Cabinet Meeting agreed to hand over the complex for this purpose.

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Vehicles for newly constituted local authorities

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon on provision of vehicles for newly constituted local authorities.

Under this approval a supplementary estimate of Rs. 126 million will be allocated for the above purpose.

During the Local Government Elections conducted in 2004 and 2006, 21 new local authorities were constituted, they have not been provided with required transport facilities in order to carry out their services efficiently and expedite development activities.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to purchase double cabs for these new local authorities.

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Four-lane express way from Dodangoda to Matara

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Highways and Road Development Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle for the widening of the present two-lane express way from Dodangoda to Godagama (Matara) to a four-lane express way.

Construction of Southern express way from Kottawa to Godagama under the southern transport development project is undertaken in 3 contract packages.

In the first stage of the construction the road will be constructed as a four-lane road from Kottawa to Dodangoda and a two-lane road from Dodangoda to Godagama. In the second stage it will be widened to four-lanes and finally in the third stage to a six-lane road.

Cabinet also gave approval to appoint a Cabinet Negotiation Committee (CANC) and a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) to fulfil the above procurement process in compliance with the Government Procurement Procedures and ADB/JBIC Guidelines.