CABINET DECISION

* Relocation of Defence Establishment

The land where the Defence Ministry is situated at Galle Face green is to be alienated as per earlier Cabinet decision to make way for two giant foreign projects that will bring FDI of US$ 1,000 million. Cabinet approval was granted to relocate the Defence Ministry, Office of the Chief Defence Staff and Army Headquarters along with Headquarters of other Armed Forces with residential facilities at Akuregoda in Battaramulla on a proposal made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The project will be funded through the revenue generated from the sale of land for the two foreign projects at the Galle Face Green.

* Age limit raised

As per the data nearly 50 percent of Sri Lankans migrating for foreign employment are females of which a large number goes as domestic workers.

Majority of labour receiving countries do not have a minium age limit for females to be taken in for employment to their countries, especially for the domestic sector. A tendency for abuses and vulnerability to different forms of exploitation appears to be commonly associated with young female domestic workers abroad. Consequently, on a proposal made by the Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Dilan Perera, Cabinet approval was granted to increase the minimum age limit for migration as domestic workers, to 21 years from the age of 18 years.

* Electrification projects

A project to start 550 new Rural Electrification Schemes to provide 110,000 domestic connections and 10,000 connections for small businesses/industries will be carried out in the North Central Province. This Extension to Rural Electrification Project will provide 100 percent Electrification coverage to the North Central Province (NCP)

Cabinet approval was granted to enter into a Credit Facility Agreement with Nordea Bank AB of Sweden for US$ 53.49 million being 85% of the cost of the project, on a proposal made by President Rajapaksa.

The balance 15% will be borne by the GOSL.

* Health facilities

Health Institutions in the entire Northern Province consists of five Districts namely, Jaffna, Manner, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu were damaged during the terrorist activities of the last 30 years. Since the commencement of the re-settlement process in the Northern Province, many development activities in healthcare institutions were carried out with donor assistance.

Cabinet approval was granted for the improvement of facilities and renovation work in hospitals in these Districts, with Rs 150 million JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) assistance, for following projects on a proposal made by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

* Construction of a Regional Health Training Centre in Jaffna at a cost of Rs 50 million.

* Provision of Medical Equipment to the Intensive Care Unit at District General Hospital, Kilinochchi at a cost of Rs 25 million.

* Construction of Nursing Quarters at District General Hospital, Kilinochchi at a cost of Rs 45 million.

* Construction of Blood Bank at District General Hospital, Vavuniya at a cost Rs 30 million.

* University infrastructure

The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has agreed to provide a loan assistance of Kuwait Dinars 3 million approximately US$ 10.5 million to finance the implementation of development projects in the South Eastern University.

This is to develop essential academic infrastructure and introduce new demand driven degree programs to meet the national needs of the country.

The project consists of two phases, and the Phase 1 - A is now being implemented at a cost of US$ 7 million.

The total cost of phase 1-B, US$ 10.5 million will be financed by the Kuwait fund and the balance of US$ 1.5 million will be borne by the Government of Sri Lanka. This loan will be utilized to complete construction of buildings for the faculties, student hostels and for the development of infrastructure facilities such as roads, water supply, electricity, sewerage and waste management system.