Cabinet DECISIONS

Enhancing National Emergency Response Capacity

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) which operates seven days a week, implemented the Disaster Management Communication and Capacity Development Project at a cost of Euro 6.5 million.

Under this project 50 Early Warning Towers, Radio Communication Network covering 10 Districts and a 10 seater capacity call centre have been established.

Cabinet approval has already been granted to implement the project in two stages. The first Stage of the project (Phase II) is already under implementation.

Cabinet approval was granted to implement Stage II (Phase Ill) of the project. With the completion of the final phase of this project there will be an islandwide emergency response network with 100 numbers of Early Warning Towers and 26 fully equipped Fire Stations in Sri Lanka.

Cabinet approval was also granted to accept in principle the project proposals submitted by M/s Search & Rescue Systems of the Netherlands.

National Implementing Entity

Cabinet approval was granted to nominate the Climate Change Secretariat of the Environment Ministry as the National Implement Entity to the Adaptation Fund.

Rehabilitation Centre

The Government has decided to improve and develop the Ranaviru Sevana hospital complex at Hekitta Road, Hendala to provide additional facilities to disabled Soldiers.

On the recommendation of the Defence Minister Cabinet approval was granted to hand over the hospital premises and the land at Hekitta, Hendala belonging to the Health Ministry to the Army to maintain it as a Ranaviru Rehabilitation Centre.

Cabinet also approved the Rs 30 million allocation for the modernization of the facilities of the hospital.

Highway Project

The Colombo Outer Circular Highway project from Kottawa and traverses through Maharagama, Kaduwela, Biyagama, Mahara and Wattala Divisional Secretariat Areas and ends up as Kerawalapitlya is under implementation with Japanese financial assistance

The road 29.1 km in length will connect the Colombo-Katunayake, Colombo-Kandy and the Southern Expressways

Cabinet approval was granted to revive the procurement process pertaining to Kaduwela - Kadawatha segment with the only bidder M/s Taisai Corporation of Japan Sea Passenger Transport Service.

A Sea Passenger Services will be initially established between Colombo and Tuticorin (Thuthukudi) and Thalaimannar and Rameshwaram. It will later be expanded between other ports of the two countries.

On the recommendation of the Ports and Highways Minister Cabinet approval was granted to sign the Memorandum of Understanding prepared for this and its implementation.

Financial Benefits for Artistic Creations

On a joint proposal made by Mass Media and Information Minister and Industry and Commerce Minister Cabinet has approved a Regulation under the intellectual Property Act No 36 of 2003 for the protection of the Rights of the Artistes. It was proposed to provide financial benefits to the creators who contributed for the lyrics, music and singing of lyric creation broadcasts through the electronic media each time such songs are broadcast

The payments will be effected as follows:

(1)(a) In respect of broadcasting of a song once on Radio

(i) for the lyrics of any substantial part thereof - Rs 3

(ii) for the musical work or any substantial part thereof - Rs 3

(iii) for the singing of the song or any substantial part - Rs 3 thereof (b)In respect of broadcasting of a musical work on Radio for the musical work or any substantial part thereof without accompanying words - Rs 3

(II)(a) In respect of broadcasting of a song once on Television

(i) for the lyrics of any substantial part thereof - Rs 10

(ii) for the musical work or any substantial part thereof - Rs 10

(iii) for the singing of the song or any substantial part - Rs 10 thereof

(b) In respect of broadcasting of a musical work once on Television for the musical work or any substantial part thereof without accompanying words - Rs 10

(III)(i) In respect of broadcasting of a pictorial composition of a song or substantial part thereof on Television once to the producer of such pictorial composition - Rs 10

(ii) In respect of broadcasting of a pictorial composition of a musical work or a substantial part thereof without accompanying words on Television once to the producer of such pictorial composition - Rs 10