Cabinet decisions

Drug Regulatory Authority

The Cabinet approved to a Memorandum submitted by Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on the establishment of the National Medicinal Drug Authority (NMDA).

Problems pertaining to medicinal drugs and drug use were subjected to discussion as far back as 1970s.

As a result, Sri Lankan Government made steps to intervene at important procedures related to medicines. However, having observed major deficiencies in the present system a National Drug Policy was approved in 2005.

A National Standing Committee (NSC) was appointed in March last year to oversee and expedite the implementation of the Drug Policy and it has taken several important decisions.

The NSC was advised by the Legal Draftsman that new legislation should be drafted for the establishment of the NMDA.

Therefore, the Cabinet granted its approval to draft a new Act with the assistance of the Legal Draftsman to expedite the implementation of the National Medical Drug Policy by repealing or amending the existing Cosmetics Devices and Drugs Act where necessary.

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Road to be widened between Dodangoda and Godagama

The Cabinet approved to a Memorandum submitted by Highways and Road Development Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle on the implementation of the re-structured contract widening the present two-lane expressway from Dodangoda to Godagama to 4-lanes under the Southern Transport Development Project (STDP).

The Cabinet granted its approval to award the re-structured contract of STDP for widening the Southern Expressway from Dodangoda to Godagama (Matara) to 4-lanes-ADB Section from Kurundugahahetegama to Pinnaduwa (30 km) and Port Access Road (5 km), subject to the completion before 30th September 2009. Stage 1 and Stage 2 will be completed before 30th September 2010.

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Construction of New Mannar Bridge

The Cabinet approved to a Memorandum submitted by Highways and Road Development Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle on the construction of new Mannar Bridge and improvement of Causeway under Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) grant aid of Japanese Yen 1,836 million.

The Mannar Bridge and Causeway is located at 85th km of Medawachchiya-Mannar-Thalaimannar (A14) Road in Mannar District. The Mannar Bridge and the Causeway which connect the Mannar Island and the mainland was constructed in 1930s, with single lane of narrow width.

This is the only access road to the Mannar Island from the mainland. The bridge was damaged due to a bomb blast in 1990 was restored with a temporary bailey bridge of narrow width (single traffic lane).

At present this is in a unstable and weak state causing immense hardships to the people and their daily transportation. Therefore, a permanent bridge is an urgent need. Negotiations were made with JICA for the funding of the construction of a 7.4-metre long New Bridge and Causeway and 1.5-metre foot walk either side.

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Re-location of Buddasrawaka Bhikku University

The Cabinet approved to a Memorandum submitted by Higher Education Minister Prof. W. A. Wiswa Warnapala on the re-location of the Buddasrawaka Bhikku University at Anuradhapura. This University has submitted a project proposal to re-locate it in an extent of 11 acres at Manamunawatta. The Cabinet has granted its approval to re-locate the University at Manamunawatta at a total cost of Rs. 1.3 billion within a period of five to six years.

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Industrial Estate in Matugama

The Cabinet approved to a Memorandum submitted by Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama on the establishment of an Industrial Estate in Ritiketiya Division of Pallegoda Estate, Matugama. The Management Company of Pallegoda Estate has given its consent to release 50 acres from Ritiketiya Division for the establishment of an Industrial Estate.

Implementing this project could create approximately 1500 direct employment opportunities.