Cabinet Decisions

Information Technology building for Sabaragamuwa University

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by Higher Education Minister Prof W.A. Wiswa Warnapala, for the construction of a building for the Information Technology Centre of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL).

The proposed building, costing Rs. 121 million will facilitate conducting of courses in Information Technology at the SUSL. Drawings and detailed estimates have been prepared for this purpose by the University. The construction will be entrusted to the Central Engineering Consulting Bureau.

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New housing scheme for 50,000 war heroes

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Defence Minister, for the construction of 50,000 houses within next five years for the war heroes as stipulated in the Mahinda Chinthana.

This programme, which comes under the Api Wenuwen Api, Loans will be provided for construction of 10,000 houses each year in the next five years.

Most of the local banks and the branches of foreign banks operating here have given their willingness to join this loan scheme.

A fund named Api Wenuwen Api Fund will be established and funds will be collected through donations/contributions received from locally and abroad, a segment of revenue collected through the lottery draws by National Lotteries Board and a segment of donations to be obtained from the President’s Fund.

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Draft Act Incorporate of Pannipitiya Sri Devram Viharaya Sasanarakshaka Sanwardana Sabhawa

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by the President as Minister of Religious Affairs and Moral Uplift to present the Draft Act Incorporate of Pannipitiya Depanama Sri Devram Viharaya Sasanarakshaka Sanwardana Sabhawa to the Parliament.

The observations of the Attorney General for the draft Act has been obtained subsequent to the Amendments of the Legal Draftman on the draft Act submitted in Parliament by Ven Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera MP.

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Uplift of Orange Cultivation

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithreepala Sirisena, for a project to establish 500 acres of new orange cultivation in the Moneragala district by the end of 2007, to rehabilitate 150 acres of old orange cultivation in the Moneragala district by the end of 2007 and provide necessary facilities to supply quality budded orange plants in government farms.

Bibile orange cultivation programme was launched with the objective of alleviation of poverty of farming community in the Moneragala district.

A programme for the production of budded plants has already been commenced and the farms have been provided with the necessary facilities like plant houses, net houses and water pumps. A total sum of Rs. 6.35 million will be provided for the project this year and another Rs 5 million will be allocated in 2008.

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Amendments to the Insurance Industry Act No 43 of 2000

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by the President as Finance Minister to amend the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act No 43 of 2000, which came into operation w.e.f. March 1, 2001.

The main structural change is that the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka instead of performing the role of a controller converted to play the role of a regulator. The major Amendments include:

(i) Presently Section 4(1) C of the Act specifies the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be an Ex-officio Member of the Insurance Board. Instead the Registrar of Companies will be an Ex-officio Member of the Insurance Board.

(ii) Presently the Board is required to register a company to carry on both long-term and general Insurance business if a company requests the IBSL to register them for both classes provided that the company has fulfilled the necessary requirements.

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Number of High Court Judges increased

The Cabinet approved to a Memorandum submitted by Justice Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda, an Amendment to the Judicature Act No.2 of 1978 to increase the number of High Court Judges.

At present Sec.4 of the Judicature Act provides for a cadre of 40 High Court Judges and therefore it is necessary to amend Sec 4 of the Judicature Act to increase the present number of High Court Judges from 40 to 60.

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Amendment to Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera to amend the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996 as proposed and to send it to the Legal Draftsman to insert the relevant provisions.

Competence certificates are not issued at present to skippers who are employed in fishing boats in Sri Lanka. A need has arisen to issue competence certificates particularly to skippers of multi-day boats.

The skippers should also have some knowledge on international law of the sea. Currently the ability of skippers to use safety equipment and a communication system is not tested and no competence certificates are issued.

Therefore it is necessary to develop a scheme to issue competence to skippers. The Iceland International Development Agency (ICEDA) has agreed to fund the necessary training that should be provided to skippers.

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Agriculture schools and training farms to be developed

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena to develop agriculture and training farms.

A team of youth fostered with modern technology and specialised knowledge of agriculture could be released to the agriculture sector by providing optimum facilities for approximately 240 students presently following training in the Schools of Agriculture as envisaged in the Mahinda Chinthana.

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Steps to protect Cattle and Buffalo resources in Sri Lanka

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by Livestock Development Minister R.M.C.B. Ratnayake to amend the Animals Act to protect the Cattle and Buffalo resources of Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, required regulations to control the slaughter of cattle and buffalo females for maintaining a sustainable herd of these animals will be made. A separate section of penalties under part II of the Animals Act to suit the present conditions, in addition to the penalties provided under the General Part of the Animals Act No 29 of 1958.

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Extension for Post Graduate Institute of Science (PIGS) University of Peradeniya

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by Higher Education Minister Prof. W.A. Wiswa Warnapala, to build an extension for Post Graduate Institute of Science, (PIGS) University of Peradeniya. The Institute provides postgraduate level training and research in specialised science.

The PGIS is faced with a serious problem of not having adequate space for conducting its academic programmes as a large number of students are now enroling for its Postgraduate Programmes. A three-storied building extension to the PGIS at Peradeniya will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 37 million out of which Rs. 5 million will be borne by the PGIS from its revenue.

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Performing Arts Center to be built

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana for the construction of the performing Arts Centre. A well-equipped Arts Center to cater to the needs of all artistes islandwide and especially those who are in the Central Province, together with foreign researchers who research into the Arts in Sri Lanka was frequently highlighted by the Academics and Artistes.

A land of five acres situated near the Mahaweli River in close proximity to the rapidly developing Kundasale Town was acquired by the Cultural Affairs Department.

The proposed Arts Center is a building complex consisting of an Administrative Building, Auditorium, a workshop, an open-theatre, Quarters for local and foreign academics and artistes, a research building, a library building and sales outlets.

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Fees levied for consular service increased

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum submitted by Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama to increase the fees levied for consular services rendered by the Consular Division of the Foreign Ministry.

Initially the service was afforded free of charge and later a fee of Rs.100/= was charged for each attestation except for documents related to education and this exemption too is no longer granted.

In order to overcome the difficulties because of the inadequacy of the space available and the substanded facilities, it becomes necessary to move the Division to a new location which the public could reach easily and which would have proper space and facilities for both public and the staff.

It is estimated that this exercise will increase the current expenditure. Therefore the increase of the fees levied for the consular services in the following manner from the current rate of Rs. 100/= with the purpose of covering the cost for the above-mentioned revamping and increase the revenue which is expected to be 60 million per annum.

a. Education Certificate of Sri Lankan Citizens- Rs. 250.00

b. A document of a Foreign National of Sri Lankan origin- Rs. 1,000.00

c. Exports Documents- Rs. 5,000.00

d. All other Certificates- Rs. 500.00