Cabinet DECISIONS

Ocean University in Sri Lanka

Cabinet approval was granted to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft legislation to prepare a Bill for the establishment of an Ocean University in Sri Lanka on a proposal by Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.

The National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering set up under Act No 36 of 1999 will be converted into an Ocean University to raise the scientific, technical and managerial skills of persons engage in Fisheries and Marine Sciences Maritime Technologies and allied fields.

Polonnaruwa Hospital operating theatre to be renovated

Cabinet approved a proposal by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to renovate the operating theatre of the Polonnaruwa General Hospital and to entrust the work to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) at a cost of Rs 19.67 million.

Procurement of survey and research vessel to NARA Institute

Cabinet approved the procurement of a Survey and Research Vessel for National Aquatic Research and Development Agency (NARA) at a cost of Rs 313.84 million from Taiwan on the recommendation of the Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee on a proposal by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

NARA has to undertake research work pertaining to Hydrography, Oceanography and Marine Biology on the entire water column and the sea bed which falls within the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka.

The Government has observed that the deployment of a Research Vessel for NARA would enhance its research and survey activities in the related fields.