Cabinet DECISIONS

Officer cadets as doctors

Cabinet decided to enlist Officer Cadets to be trained as Doctors in the General Sir John Kotelawela Defence University from the Academic Year 2010 to solve the acute shortage of medical staff of the three Armed Forces. Twenty-five Officer Cadets have been enlisted.

Cabinet granted approval to obtain funds from the Treasury to complete construction work of the Medical Faculty building of the Kotelawela Defence University in three phases during 2010/11 and 2012. It was noted that funds are available to commence the project in 2010. It was also decided to entrust the construction work to the Sri Lanka Army.

Emergency Northern Recovery Project

Cabinet granted approval to sign the Grant Agreement of US$ 10.5 million with World Bank International Development Association to utilize funds provided by the Australian Agency for International Development to implement part 'B' of the Emergency Northern Recovery Project.

The grant project's objective is to implement the work-fare program which is under the project. This program is intended to provide labour employment to detainees immediately after they have been resettled. Each IDP family will be paid Rs 25,000 under this program and funds are channelled through Banking system.

Animals Act

Cabinet granted approval to direct the Legal Draughtsman to draft amendments to the Animals Act No.29 of 1958 to make provisions to refer to the butchers (Amendment) Act No 13 of 2008 when offences, in relation to the illicit slaughter of pregnant and lactating cows that are brought to the notice of the Court of Law.

Dengue control

Cabinet approval was granted to declare the third week of August 2010 (August 16-22) as the Dengue Control Week.

National Bio Technology Policy

Cabinet granted approval to instruct the Legal draftsman to draft legislation to implement the National Bio Technology Policy. Cabinet noted that this policy highlights. Creating awareness of Bio Technology among the public to enable informed decision making, to position Bio Technology in our society enhancing opportunities for local industries to bio technology, building human resources and establishing centres of excellence in bio technology and bio technology parks. Establishing a National Bio Technology Council to plan, monitor and value of activities related to Bio Technology including facilitating and supporting bio industries while ensuring safe and ethical practices.

WINDS satellite data

Cabinet granted approval to accept the offer of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAEA) to establish a 'WINDS Satellite' data receiving station in the disaster management centre.

Buddhist studies faculty

Cabinet granted approval to construct the three storeyed building at a cost of Rs 268 million for the Faculty of Buddhist Studies under the re-location of the Buddha Sravaka Bhikku University at Anuradhapura. Cabinet noted that this should be implemented this year, falling within two years.

Appointments

Cabinet considered a Memorandum submitted by Finance and Planning Minister to resolve problems pertaining to institutional and service matters of graduates recruited for priority functions of the Government in 1999, 2004 and 2005 and granted approval for making appointments, attachments and release for graduates over 50,000 if they have fulfilled the qualifications indicated in the Schemes of Recruitment and with the concurrence of the appointing authorities.

International Sovereign Bonds

Cabinet granted approval to issue International Sovereign Bonds up to US $1,000 million in the international capital market at appropriate, longer term maturity in 2010 under Central Bank supervision.

Water supply scheme

Cabinet approval was granted to instruct the External Resources Department to negotiate with EXIM Bank of China to secure Preferential Buyer's Credit Facility for the implementation of the Gampaha, Attanagalle and Minuwangoda Integrated water supply scheme.

Micro-finance Regulatory and Supervisory Authority

Cabinet granted approval to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft the Micro Finance Bill to set up the Micro-finance Regulatory and Supervisory Authority to license/register, regulate and supervise institutions (Companies, Non-Governmental Organizations Co-operative Societies and societies which are registered under the Companies Act, Voluntary Social Service Organizations (Registration and Supervision) Act, that carry on the Micro-finance business.

Trincomale District Secretariat

Cabinet on the recommendation of Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister WDJ Seneviratne approved the setting up of Trincomalee District Secretariat at a new premises with a new building complex.

Cabinet also approved the construction of new buildings for Moneragala, Kegalle and Matara District Secretariats and to construct new buildings for Matara and Weeraketiya Divisional Secretariats.