Cabinet decisions

Food aid assistance for the World Food Program

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Finance and Planning Minister, to sign the Letter of Understanding with the World Food Program for grant assistance of US$ 134,907,780 to implement WFP food aid program in Sri Lanka.

The objective of this program is to support the Government in its relief and rehabilitation activities for the internally displaced and economically affected people by the conflict.

The project activities are: * Food distribution for people displaced or recently affected by the conflict. * Mother-child health and nutrition * Food for education for all primary students in selected schools * Food for work and food for training * Strengthening the capacity of the Government counterpart to manage food assistance program.

This program will be implemented in selected areas in Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee districts in the Eastern Province and Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Jaffna districts in the Northern Province.

In addition selected program will also be implemented in districts such as Hambantota, Moneragala, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Puttalam.

Payments to Inquirers of Sudden Deaths

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama to pay an Inquirer into Sudden Deaths, Rs. 500 inclusive of fee for postage and stationery for conducting of each inquest.

Approval was also granted to the following provisions.

* To pay a mileage of Rs. 10 for a journey along a route on which a public conveyance is not available and Rs. 6 for a journey along a route on which public conveyance is available.

* To pay subsistence allowance for period of necessary absence from home for conducting and inquest.

For each complete period of 24 hours - Rs. 500

For a period not less than 12 hours - Rs. 500

For a period not less than 6 hours - Rs. 250

* To issue a Public Administration Circular in accordance with the draft of circular attached herewith including above provisions.

Transfer of assets of Ceylon Electricity Board in Kukule Ganga Hydropower project, to SL Army

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne to authorize the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to transfer Swedish Expatriate Camp and Labour Camp along with the buildings and land to Sri Lanka Army at an estimated value of Rs. 140.8 million and to set off such amount from the dues owed by the CEB to the Treasury.

Amendments to the Coast Conservation Act

The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera to present the draft of the Coast Conservation Act. No.57 of 1981 Amendment Bill in Parliament for approval.