Cabinet DECISIONS

Textile material supply

On the recommendation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Defence Minister over the supply of textile materials for Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Departments of Police and Civil Security and National Cadet Corps, the Cabinet decided that the textile requirements of the three Armed Services, the Police and other State Institutions should be met from local textile manufacturers through the Domestic Textile Allocation Committee established under the Industry and Commerce Ministry. The total cost of the purchase is Rs 1,686 million.

Galoya Navodya project

On the recommendation of Irrigation and Water Resource Development Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Cabinet approval was granted to procure additional machinery amounting to Rs 100 million under the Galoya Navodaya Project.

Galoya Scheme is the largest single irrigation scheme in the island serving over 42,000 ha. of agricultural land, mostly paddy. The total estimated cost of Stage 1 of the Galoya Navodaya Project is Rs 1,260 million.

Healthcare project

On the recommendation of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, the implementation of the Regional Project on Strengthening Maternal and Child Healthcare covering district level hospitals and divisional level hospitals in Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy, Matale, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Ratnapura and Matara districts was approved. Medical officers, nurses, midwives already in service in these districts will be trained in the new practices in provision of essential and emergency obstetric care under this project. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 211.70 million. Cabinet approval was granted to implement this project.

CT scanner machinery

On the recommendation of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, the construction of a unit for the installation of CT Scanner Machine General Hospital, Hambantota - Essential equipment for improving and strengthening patient care services of the General Hospital, Hambantota are to be provided with Spanish Government financial assistance.

The CT Scanner machine to be provided to the hospital will be received towards the end of this year. A unit to instal this machine is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 17.2 million. Cabinet approval was granted to offer the contract to CECB.

Cabinet approval was granted to construct nurses quarters at the General Hospital, Polonnaruwa at a cost of Rs 28.9 million which will provide hostel facilities for nurses in the hospital.

Development program

On the recommendation of Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A L M Athaullah, the Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry has launched an Integrated Development Program to improve Small and Medium-Scale Towns. Under this program the development of the Dehiowita Town Centre has been commenced.

It is expected to be completed within three years.

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 700 million. This development plan will be implemented in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Cabinet approval was granted to the project.

Jaffna prison

On the recommendation of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister D E W Gunasekera, Cabinet approval was granted to construct a building to accommodate 1,000 detainees at an estimated cost of Rs 272 million at the Jaffna Prison which is maintained in four rented houses. The new Prison complex will also include features needed for rehabilitation of detainees.

Mannar saltern

On the recommendation of Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiyutheen, Cabinet approval was granted to expand the Mannar Saltern at an estimated cost of Rs 25 million.

Maga Neguma

On the recommendation of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Cabinet approval was granted to implement a project to provide infrastructure facilities and services at village and township level comprising access roads, electricity, drinking and irrigation water, market facilities, public parks, sewerage and waste disposal systems under the Maga Neguma Program in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

The International Development Association of the WorId Bank has approved a credit of US$ 50 million. The Government contribution will be equivalent to US$ 34 million and community contribution will be equivalent to US$ 2 million.