Cabinet Decisions

Water retention areas

Measures have been taken for the implementation and management activities of the Greater Colombo Flood Control and Environmental Improvement Project on the instruction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Identification of water retention areas, control of unauthorized activities in retention areas and maintenance of the network of canals of the Greater Colombo Areas fall under this project.

Seventy acres of marshy land around the Parliament area have been identified for acquisition to use as water retention area. And the total cost of the land is estimated to be Rs 112 million.

Cabinet approval was granted to acquire this land and to allocate funds from the Land Ministry vote in 2011.

Bridge construction

Moragahakanda and Kaluganga Projects -the detailed engineering designs of Kaluganga dam of the Moragahakanda Project have been initiated under the financial assistance of Kuwait Fund. Construction activities will begin in early 2012.

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and OPEC fund for International Development have committed the remaining foreign fund requirement for this project.

The Bridge across Nikawathura Oya along the Dagawila-Heenatioya Road where families affected by the construction of the two reservoirs will be resettled. The bridge will be constructed at a total cost of Rs 45.44 million, with funds to be provided in the Budget for 2011.

Industrial Estate in Mannar

The Government will develop infrastructure facilities in the Mannar District which was adversely affected during the last three decades due to the conflict situation. Investors have identified the potential of developing industrial ventures in the District. This includes garment industry and industries related to fish processing, production of fishing gear, chemical and salt based products, agro based products and food processing etc.

Cabinet approval was granted for the establishment of an Industrial Estate in the Mannar District in extent of 24 acres.

Vegetable market at Nugegoda

It is proposed to develop the Vegetable Market which is located at the Nugegoda City Centre, in line with UDA development guidelines.

Cabinet approval was granted to award the contract to the State Engineering Corporation at a total cost of Rs 72.6 million.

Development Initiatives

The Economic Development Ministry implements a program to support the economic growth of regions, while ensuring equitable resource mobilization to minimize regional disparities.

The programs are being implemented:

Stalls for displaced pavement hawkers in Pettah, Stalls for displaced pavement hawkers in Nugegoda, Multi-storyed Car Park at National Zoological Garden Dehiwala, Reconstruction of Galle Bus Stand.

Move to speed up development

Cabinet approval was granted to call for limited quotations from listed State Sector Construction Agencies to fast-track regional projects and programs.

Code for National Anthem

Cabinet approval was granted for printing and publishing the code for the use of the National Anthem compiled by the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry in all three languages.

This code will be used for the national Anthem in all occasions protecting its due respect and pride.

New Projects from Savings

The Manik Ganga- (Weheragala) Project plan to augment Kirindi Oya Reservoir in Hambantota District is nearing completion at a cost of Rs 2200 million using domestic funds.

The total project cost was Rs 2900 million. The Government will utilize the savings of Rs 700 million on this project for rehabilitation of Kirindi Oya Left Bank and Right Bank Irrigation System at a cost of Rs 400 million, rehabilitation of Ellagala Feeder and Main Canals and 05 Tanks at a cost of Rs 90 million, Construction of the Attikkawa Anicut at a cost of Rs 150 million, rehabilitation of Hangunna Area Feeder Canal and Karawila Mailagama Dedtagamuwa Irrigation System at a cost of’ Rs 40 million and rehabilitation of Galgamuwa Anicut and five Tank Systems at a cost of Rs 20 million.

Chinese funds

The Chinese Government will provide a grant of Renminibi Yuan 50 million to further enhance the friendly relations and bilateral economic and technical cooperation with Sri Lanka. The grants will be utilized to implement projects to be agreed upon through consultation between the two Governments.

ADB assistance for water supply and Sanitation projects

Negotiations have been concluded with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to obtain financial assistance of US $ 90 million (Rs 10 billion) for the implementation of Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

The total cost of the project is US $ 164.04 million. An Agency in France will provide a loan of Euro 35 million to part finance the project.

Funds for ranamadue tank development

The International Fund for Agricultural Development will provide a loan of US $20 million for the downstream development of the Iranamadu Tank from which raw water is to be drawn for the Water Supply Scheme. Two separate financing agreements will be signed for the purpose.

This project will supply 300,000 new water connections in the two Districts and connect 20,000 households in the Jaffna Municipal area to the sewer network.