Cabinet DECISIONS

US $ 500 million Loan facility from China to finance for priority road projects

* Projects to improve and rehabilitate priority roads islandwide connecting all electorates are under way.

* China Development Bank Corporation (CDB) has agreed to provide US $ 500 million to finance this project

* This will contribute to lower transportation cost and improved the integration of all parts of the country, thus increasing the economic activities and productivity and also provide employment opportunities to the residents.

* On a proposal by the President as the Finance and Planning Minister Cabinet approval was granted to enter into a Loan Agreement for US $ 500 million with the China Development Bank Corporation to implement the project.

Rs 1.98 billion ADB assistance to implement the secondary towns and rural community-based water supply and sanitation project.

* Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide an additional loan of US $ 17.6 million to implement the Muttur Water Supply Scheme under the on-going Secondary Town and Rural Community Based Water Supply Sanitation Project.

* The proposed additional financing will ensure successful completion of the project benefiting about 50,000 people in the project area.

* A proposal by the President to enter into a loan agreements with the ADB was approved by the Cabinet.

Emergency financial assistance of US $ 38 million from IDA for the community livelihoods in conflict affected areas

* On a proposal made by the President, Cabinet approval was granted to conduct negotiations with the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank to enter into an agreement to obtain a loan of US $ 38 million as additional financial assistance for the ongoing community livelihood development in the conflict affected areas.

* This is to support emergency rehabilitation and restoration of agricultural roads, tanks, minor irrigation schemes and canals that were affected due to recent floods

* This credit facility of the IDA is interest free and the project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Japan grants Rs 468 million for food security project for low income farmers

* The Japanese Government has agreed to provide a grant of Japanese Yen 360 million to purchase agricultural machinery and equipment for the use by low income farmers in the country.

* 820 units of two wheel tractors and 50 units of four wheel tractors will he provided under this grant thereby to assist food production program.

* On a proposal made by the President, Cabinet approval was granted to sign the exchange of notes with the Japanese Government and to enter into a Grant Agreement with JICA.

Rs 1,891 million JICA assistance for Vavuniya-Kilinochchi Transmission Line Project

* A project to reinforce the transmission network in the northern area by constructing 132 KV transmission line from Vavuniya to Kilinochchi and the Grid Substation at Kilinochchi is under way.

* The Japanese Government has agreed to provide a loan of Japanese Yen 1,422 million through the Japan International Cooperation Agency as additional financing for the project.

* Completion of this project will ensure reliable, adequate and efficient electricity supply to consumers in the Northern Province.

* The proposal made by the President to enter into a Loan Agreement with JICA was approved by the Cabinet.

Establishment of Janasevana National Housing Secretariat to maintain a proper and updated database regarding housing

* On a proposal by Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Cabinet approval was granted to establish Janasevana National Housing Secretariat.

* This Secretariat will act as a Centre that connect the housing market to provide information for all those in need of houses, for housing property developers, contractors and capital providers.

* This institution will gather information on housing programs implemented by institutions and individuals in Sri Lanka.

Conservation of Digavapi Chaitya at Rs 77 million

* On a proposal by National Heritage Minister Jagath Balasuriya Cabinet approval was granted to commence restoration of the Digavapi Chaitya and other related renovation work in the area in the Ampara district.

* The estimated cost of the first stage of the project will be Rs 77 million. Bank of Ceylon has agreed to donate Rs 37.0 million for this project under its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Completion of Stage II of the Sinhapura Housing Project at Wanathamulla, Colombo 8

* This housing project consists of 120 Housing Units and under Stage I of the project, three buildings consisting of 60 housing units were completed and they were allocated to the public in 2007

* On a proposal by Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa Cabinet approval was granted to entrust the completion of Stage II of the project to the State Engineering Corporation at a cost of Rs 150.27 million

* 46 families who have been ejected from No 187 estate at Torrington Mawatha, Colombo 7 will be accommodated here and the land used by them at Torrington worth Rs 282 million will be used for other urban development activities

South Asia Conference on Sanitation, April 4 to 8 in Colombo

* This is a regional collaboration of eight South Asian countries comprising India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives, Afghanistan and Pakistan, formed with the objective of addressing the sanitation facilities in the region.

* This is held every two years on a rotation basis in a selected member country. This will be held in Sri Lanka and the five day event will be inaugurated by the President.

* Cabinet approval was granted to host this conference in Colombo from April 4 to 8 on a proposal by Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena