CABINET DECISION

Engineering Council to be set up

Cabinet on a proposal by Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, granted approval for the establishment of Engineering Council by an Act of Parliament. Electricity transmission, distribution network to be strengthened the country’s Electricity generation requirement will be strengthened after commissioning of the 150 MW Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Plant and 600 MW Phases II and III of the Coal Fired Power Plant at Puttlam.

Further 500 MW of power will be added to the National Grid by 2018 with the commissioning of the Coal Fired Power Plant at Trincomalee.

Due to the urgency to reinforce the existing transmission and distribution network of the CEB to be in line with the growing electricity demand, the following projects will be implemented early with domestic funds to be provided during the 2012, 2013 and 2014:

Installation of 100 MW Ar capacitor bank in Pannipitiya Grid Substation - cost Rs. 261.6 million; construction of Suriyawewa 132/33 MW Grid Substation - cost Rs.1 500 million; augmentation of Hambantota Grid Substation - cost Rs. 534.3 million; and augmentation of Sri Jayewardenepura Grid Substation - cost Rs. 507.1 million.

Additional building

Additional building for the Office of the Opposition Leader in the same premises on a proposal by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Cabinet approval was granted to allocate Rs. 28.4 million to construct an additional building for the Office of the Opposition Leader in Parliament, at the same venue.

Trincomalee Port City to be developed

Trincomalee Port City Development Project - Appointment of a Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee (CANC) and a Project Committee (PC) - Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) owns 2000 hectares in the vicinity of the port of Trincomalee.

On a proposal by the President, as Ports and Highways Minister the Cabinet decided to requests for proposals from parties to commence port related business ventures with high potential to contribute to the Sri Lanka economy.

Cabinet approval was also granted to appoint a Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee (CANC) and a Project Committee (PC) to evaluate proposals received for same.

New building for Jayawardenapura University

The proposal by Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake, for construction of a new building to improve infrastructure facilities at the Faculty of Applied Science, University of Sri Jayewardenapura was approved by the Cabinet.

Construction of Dikowita Fishery Harbour

The proposal by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne to proceed with the construction of this harbour, was approved by the Cabinet.

The construction will include Increasing the depth of the Southern harbour basin up to 5 M. costing Rs. l05 million; Opening of the outer reef for a width of 70 M. to the approach channel and deepening it from 6 M to 8 M costing Rs.90 million; construction of ice plant costing Rs. 110 million; Workshop and boat repair facility costing Rs.l90 million; and Anchorage for one day boats costing Rs.35 million.

Installation and Commissioning of Instrument Landing System and Distance measuring System at BIA a proposal made by Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne, a Tender for the Supply, Installation and Commissioning of Instrument Landing System and Distance Measuring Equipment (ILS & DME) at Bandaranaike International Airport was approved by the Cabinet.

On the recommendation of the Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (CAPC) and the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) the new system will be procured by replacing the existing equipment installed at the BIA.

This would be awarded to M/s Queens Radio Marine Electronics at a total foreign component of 544,890.00 Sterling Pounds and the local component of Rs. 24,500,000.00.

Shipping Service Agreement

Cabinet on a proposal by the President, agreed to enter into the Shipping Service Agreement with the government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

The government has found it necessary to have a new shipping service agreement between the two countries to accommodate new developments that have taken place in the International Shipping Sector.

Some of the main features of this agreement are as follows: mutual maritime co-operation in the field of Merchant Shipping; provision of necessary assistance in Merchant Shipping Activities; facilitation of maritime transportation; facilitation of medical aid for crew members where necessary; and provision of help and assistance for the vessels in distress.

Plant and machinery needed for road construction to be procured from China

As directed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Provincial road network is being upgraded by the Economic Development Ministry.

The proposal made by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, on the recommendation of the Standing Cabinet appointed Review Committee to purchase plant and machinery required for road construction works from M/s. China National Aero - Technology Import and Export Corporation, US $115.8 million was approved by the Cabinet.