Cabinet decisions

Water supply projects for Kolonna and Balangoda

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Water Supply and Drainage Minister, A.L.M. Athaullah for the implementation of water supply projects for Kolonna and Balangoda.

The projects will be implemented with the financial assistance of the Belgium Government or any other funding agency.

Accordingly the approval was granted to direct the Department of Public Finance to appoint a Project Committee (PC) and a Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC) to evaluate and finalise the project proposal submitted by M/s. CFE International, Belgium.

Re-launching of Mahapola Exhibition under the Government sponsorship

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister, Bandula Gunawardena to re-launch the Mahapola Exhibition Program starting from October.

Accordingly the implementation and operation of the exhibition will be authorized to a Mahapola Operational Committee comprising 15 members including Secretaries, Chairmen's, Directors of Government institutions and representatives from private firms. A main Operational Committee will be established at the CWE Secretariat without paying a rent.

The assistance and co-operation from the Ministries, Departments, and Government Affiliated bodies is sought in this regard.

Southern transport development project

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Highways and Road Development Minister for the implementation of the balance work of the construction of 4-lane expressway from Pinnaduwa to Godagama which comes under the Southern Transport Development Project.

Funding for the section from Pinnaduwa to Godagama (Matara) has been secured from the EXIM Bank of the People's Republic of China.

Provincial road development projects to North and East

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya as the Finance and Planning Acting Minister to enter into a financing agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a loan of US$ 70 million (Rs. 8,000 million) to implement the Eastern and Northern Central Provincial Road Project.

The total estimated cost of the project is US$ 78 million of which US$ 70 million is provided by the ADB. The Balance US$ 8 million will be provided by the Government to meet the expenses of taxes and duties.

In addition, ADB has agreed to provide a grant of US$ 800,000 for institutional development of provincial road agencies in Eastern, North, Central Provinces while the Government will make a contribution equivalent to US$ 150,000.

The project is expected to be implemented by December 31, 2013. The approval of the Monetary Board of Central Bank of Sri Lanka has been obtained for this purpose.

New Oncology Unit for Batticaloa Teaching Hospital

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Healthcare and Nutrition Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva for the establishment of a properly equipped Oncology Unit for the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital.

It will consist of ward complex with 100 beds, a theatre and 10 bed ICU, clinic facilities, pharmacy, ECG unit, therapy, treatment facilities, and mould room.

The National Planning Department has recommended establishing a new Oncology Unit including above facilities in the premises of Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa. The estimated project cost is Rs. hundred million.

Hospital ward complex for Kandy General Hospital

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Healthcare and Nutrition Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva for the establishment of a ward complex for the Kandy General Hospital.

Accordingly the news ward complex will consist of four units and the total estimated cost for the construction work is estimated as Rs. 493,456,320. The construction work will be awarded to Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau on 'Design and Built' basis.

Infrastructure facilities to Ragama Teaching Hospital

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Healthcare and Nutrition Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva for the construction of an Intensive Care Unit, Surgery Ward, Accident Ward and additional wards to the Ragama Teaching Hospital. The construction work will be awarded to Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau at a cost of Rs. 324,021,600 (including tax) on 'Design and Built' basis.

Ragama Teaching Hospital is the main hospital nearest to the Bandaranaiyake International Airport.