Cabinet DECISION

Greater Hambantota to be developed as a central business and industrial city

The area identified for central business activity and industrial activity is to be developed with the development of the international sea port and the international airport in the Hambantota District.

Cabinet approval was granted to allocate Rs 812 million to acquire lands required by the UDA to implement the projects related to these developments on a proposal made by President.

Some of the projects identified to be implemented under this project are high income housing, middle income housing, hospital, police station, post office, city hotels, bus stand, market, theatre, banking square, schools, beach parks etc.

Urban Development Plan for Dickwella Radampala Town

The UDA has prepared a development plan for Radampala Mini Town Centre in Dikwella on a proposal made by the President.

The UDA has completed the construction of a two storied commercial complex comprising 12 shops at a cost of Rs 8.9 million under Stage I of the project. These new shops will be used for relocation of shops affected by road widening and town improvement programmes. Under Stage II, a two storied building consisting of 26 shops will be constructed. Cabinet approval was granted to handover the construction work of Stage II to the State Engineering Corporation at a cost of Rs.21.5 million.

Rs 317m for payment of farmers' pension and the insurance payment for crop damage.

On a proposal by the President, Rs 317.3 million is to be allocated for the payment of pension to farmers until the new pension fund is established.

Irrigation facilities for additional lands in Morana area by construction of Morana reservoir across Ulhitiya Oya There is an acute shortage of water in the Nagadeepa Scheme to irrigate lands during both the Maha and Yala seasons.

The construction of a reservoir across Ulhitiya Oya in Morana and diverting water to Rotagolla Wewa is identified as a measure to overcome this situation. On a proposal by Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Cabinet approval was granted to implement the project of construction of Morana Reservoir at a cost of Rs 1,700 million enabling to provide water to another 4,000 acres of land during Maha and Yala seasons benefitting 1,000 families.

Trust to be established to manage community water supply and sanitation project

On a proposal by Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Cabinet approval was granted to establish a water supply and sanitation trust with Rs 50 million to be provided from the Consolidated Fund, to manage sub-projects.

Polonnaruwa General Hospital and Medirigiriya Base hospital to be developed

On a proposal by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Cabinet approval was granted to implement several development projects to enhance the facilities of Polonnaruwa General Hospital and Medirigiriya Base hospital.

The following improvements to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital, will be implemented.

* Construction of a four storied ward complex, Construction of a three storied building for the laboratory, extension of quarters for senior house officers, extension and renovation of senior nurses' quarters and renovation of quarters of male nurses.

Improvements to the Operation Theatre of the Medirigiriya Base Hospital are to be carried out at Rs.16,336,207.09.

Construction of new three storied building for Divisional Secretariat Ratnapura and New Official Quarters

On a proposal by Pubic Administration and Home Affairs Minister.

E D J Seneviratne, approval was granted to construct the building, for the Divisional Secretariat, Ratnapura at a cost of Rs 77 million.

Emergency assistance project for livelihood restoration of resettled internally displaced people in the North.

On a proposal by Economic Development Minister Basil, Rajapaksa, arrangements have been made to obtain an Emergency Grant Assistance of US$ 2.5 million from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction to implement the project for rapid economic development in the Northern Province. The total cost of the project is US$ 2.8 million and government contribution for the project will be US$ 150,000. The community contribution is estimated to be US$ 137,500 The following are the projects to be implemented:

A minimum of 200 Km of field irrigation canals and 100 Km. of rural access roads will be rehabilitated and at least 2,000 Internally Displaced Persons (from selected families) will be trained in the improvement of agricultural productivity and self employment.

Implementation of Decentralized Budget Programme 2011

The methodology proposed by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa for the Decentralized Budget Funds to be allocated for activities which are not undertaken by line ministries was approved by the Cabinet.

The proposals from MPs up to the maximum of Rs 5 million will be given priority to be implemented in the following areas of activities, Provision of toilet facilities, drinking water, scientific equipment, renovation of buildings etc. in schools, construction of Maternity Centres development, of rural playgrounds, libraries, cultural centres and cemeteries: provision of facilities to registered Dhamma Schools; facilities to Children's Homes and Homes for the Elders; small Scale electricity extension projects and any other identified priority projects.