Cabinet Decision

National Centre for Hearing and Speech Impaired

The Dialog Axiata, PLC (formerly known as Dialog Telecom PLC) will gift a fully fledged centre to cater to hearing and speech impaired people.

It is proposed to construct a three storied building on a block of land identified in Narahenpita belonging to the Health Ministry under this project.

A space at the ground floor of the building is to be allocated for the National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Centre.

Cabinet approval was granted to implement the project on a recommendation by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena with Rs 120 million financial assistance provided by the company.

The Centre will be managed by the Health Ministry.

Aircraft refuelling facility

Cabinet approval was granted to design the Aircraft hydrant refuelling system at the proposed Airport at Maththala and to construct the facility at the expense of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation on a proposal by Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha.

MoU to be signed with Iran

The Ninth Session of the Joint Commission for Economic Co-operation between Sri Lanka and Iran concluded in September 2010 in Colombo.

Iran agreed to study the inclusion of preferential tariff quota on an annual basis for Sri Lankan tea.

Iran has agreed that part of the quota could be used for packaging of Sri Lankan tea in Free Trade Zones in Iran by Sri Lankan companies or as joint ventures formed with Iranian and Sri Lankan companies.

Cabinet approval was granted to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the decisions agreed upon by both parties.

Natural gas

On a joint proposal by the Power and Energy Ministry and Petroleum Industries Ministry, Cabinet approval was granted to appoint a high powered Steering Committee to implement the natural gas policy and to authorize the Petroleum Industries Ministry to explore the possibility of arranging on long term supply arrangement on Government to Government basis.

Ward Complex at Vavuniya

The Cabinet to improve conditions of the Vavuniya District General Hospital proposed to construct a three storied building for a Ward Complex with 200 beds in eight Wards on a proposal by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

This project is to be implemented at a cost of Rs 209 million. Funds will be provided by the Indian Government.

Wastewater management project

The Government has received a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the wastewater management project for Greater Colombo with a total cost of US $116.63 million. The project’s objective is to improve the urban environment by rehabilitating the sewerage system and improving the health of the Greater Colombo area residents.

On a recommendation made by Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A L M Athaulla, Cabinet approval was granted to implement the project at a cost of US $ 1,714,102.

Road Projects

A credit facility of US $259.78 million will be provided by China through the Export Import Bank of China to finance 85 percent of the total cost of the following road projects.

Rehabilitation and improvement of 67 km of Navatkuli- Karaitivu Mannar (A032) road. Rehabilitation and improvement of 113 km of Puttalam-Maarichchikade-Mannar (B 379, B 403) road.

Southern Transport Development Project - 15 km of highway section from Pinnaduwa to Kodagoda (Package 1). Southern Transport Development Project - 15 km of highway section from Kodagoda to Godagama and balance work in Galle Port Access Road (Package 2). Total cost of the projects will be US $ 305.63 million. The balance 15 percent will be provided by the Sri Lankan Government.

In addition, a project to improve 1,174 km of roadways throughout the country will be undertaken with Chinese financial assistance.

The Cabinet has decided to obtain a loan facility of US $ 500 million from China Development Bank Corporation to finance improvement and rehabilitation of priority roads.

USD $ 158.2 will be provided in 2010 and the balance in 2011 to finance these road projects.

Cabinet Sub-Committee on CoL

The Cabinet of Ministers decided to appoint a Cabinet Sub Committee on Cost of Living to be chaired by the President and consisting of 15 Ministers including the Prime Minister. The committee will go into the ways and means of providing the benefits of the development projects implemented by the Government to the people and will make recommendations to provide relief to the public.