Cabinet decisions
‘Bim Saviya’ to be locally funded
The Cabinet has approved a decision by Land and Land Development
Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga on the implementation of Bim Saviya
Programme as a locally funded project.
The object of this project is to direct the project. This will direct
the public towards development by establishing ownership to land,
granting the opportunity for those with land problems to utilise their
lands for their own betterment as well as for economic development and
establish a data base on land and thereby create a new trend in
computerised land management and strengthen the economic development.
It is expected to launch this activity as a departmental affair, with
the completion of the main targets within a period of 15 years through
implementing Bim Saviya Programme.
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Meteorological stations to be automated
The Cabinet has approved to a memorandum submitted by Disaster
Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on the
improvement of meteorological and disaster management network of the
Meteorology Department. It is a well-known fact that over 90 per cent of
the global natural disasters are weather-related.
Unlike in the past, more and more natural disasters such as intense
rainfalls and rain spells leading to severe floods and landslides,
prolonged droughts are experienced more frequently in the country.
Upgrading facilities at the Department would enable it to provide a
better service to the public by way of providing more accurate weather
forecasts, advisories and warnings during periods of bad weather.
The Japanese Government, through Japan International Co- operation
Agency has agreed to upgrade the meteorological observation and
communication network. Accordingly, the existing 20 meteorological
stations will be upgraded to weather station status and 18 new weather
stations established.
A real time satellite communication system (VSAT) will be established
and this would connect the automatic weather stations with the
Department’s head office in Colombo. The total grant from Japan for this
project is 807 million yen and the project is to be completed by March
2008.
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Infrastructure improvement at universities
The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Higher Education
Minister Prof. Wiswa Warnapala on providing infrastructure facilities
for newly established Rajarata University, University of Visual
Performing Arts, Sabaragamuwa and Wayamba Universities.
Vice- Chancellors of these universities have submitted proposals to
provide adequate facilities to overcome the difficulties encountered by
the students who follow degree programmes.
The Cabinet has approved for the construction of a building for the
Para-clinical Department of the Faculty of Medical and Allied Sciences,
a student/staff canteen, a student centre at Puliyankulama and the
construction of a building for the Management Studies at the Rajarata
University.
Hostels for 400 male and 400 female students at the University of
Visual and Performing Arts will be constructed at Rajagiriya and
Dehiwala. The Applied Science Faculty of Sabaragamuwa University will be
re-located from Buttala to Belihuloya. Health centres and a hostel for
Wayamba University will be built at Kuliyapitiya and Makandura.
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New agro-tech institute
The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Higher Education
Minister Prof. Wiswa Warnapala on the establishment of the University of
Colombo-Magampura Institute of Agro- Technology and Rural Sciences (UC-MIARS).
The University of Colombo has submitted a proposal to establish UC
MIARS, upgrading the existing Agro- Technology and Community Centre at
Weligatta, Hambantota. The new Institute will be established under an
Ordinance and Rs. 25 million will be spent for its infrastructure
Development.
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Teachers Pension Act to be amended
The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Public
Administration and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya on the
amendment to the School Teachers’ Pension Act. The Cabinet had approved
on September 8, 2005 to instruct Legal Draftsman to draft a Bill to
amend the School Teachers Pension Act to extend widowers and orphans
pension rights to female teachers serving in private schools and
teachers in Privenas.
The Attorney General has certified to the effect that no section
which may violate the constitution has been included to the draft Bill.
Therefore, the Cabinet approved to send the draft Bill to the Secretary
General of Parliament for including the same to the agenda.
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Sri Lanka and China to co-operate in sports
The Cabinet has approved to a memorandum submitted by Sports and
Public Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge on the bilateral understanding
on mutual co-operation in the sports sector between Sri Lanka and the
People’s Republic of China (PRC).
It is apparent that a comprehensive role could be performed for the
development of sports in Sri Lanka and the PRC based on the long lasting
friendship and mutual co- operation between them.
However, not a single programme of co-operation in the sports sector
in the two countries has been implemented so far. Furthermore, in view
of the fact that the 2008 Olympic Games are to be held in Beijing, China
and the completion of 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic
ties between China and Sri Lanka falls this year, a favourable
environment to enter into this mutual understanding has been created.
Therefore, the Cabinet has approved to arrive at a Bilateral
Agreement on Mutual Co-operation in the sports sector between the two
countries. |
