Cabinet Decisions

Rs 260 m for North and East water supply, sanitation and hygiene project

Cabinet has approved the implementation of the North and East Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project on a proposal by Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

This project is funded by the World Bank and Australian International Development Agency (AUSAID). About 34,000 houses have been constructed in Mannar and Trincomalee districts after the conflict under this project.

The government has taken measures to reconstruct the damages caused to water and sanitation projects during the conflict period and with intervention of the World Bank and the Australian International Development Agency (AUSAID).

AUSAID has agreed to provide US$ 2.01 million to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board to implement the project.

This project will provide safe drinking water to 3,000 families in 12 villages in Mannar and Trincomalee districts and is expected to be completed within two years.

The total foreign and local cost of the project is Rs 260 million.

New industries in Regional Industrial Estates

Cabinet has approved to allocate blocks of land from industrial estates to another 26 potential investors on a proposal by Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

The government's Regional Industrialization Strategy is aimed to develop industrial activities at the regional level to encourage utilization of local raw material and human resources.

Twenty four industrial estates have been established and most of the land plots have been allocated to potential investors.

Over 271 industrial units are now in commercial operation and 46 are under construction.

Two partnership agreements with USAID for social integration and increased and equitable economic growth

Cabinet has approved to sign two agreements with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for strengthened partnership for Social Integration and Increased and Equitable Economic Growth on a proposal made by the President in his capacity as the Finance and Planning Minister.

The government of the United States of America has agreed to provide a grant assistance of US $14,738,236 through the USAID to the Sri Lankan government.

The main objectives of the above programmes are to increase private sector investment and enterprise development in lagging provinces; strengthen participatory governance at the local authority level; and improve delivery of legal services and enhance the public engagement in the legal process.

A project office will be set up under the Economic Development Ministry for coordination and implementation of activities related to above programme.

A committee appointed with USAID representation will undertake the annual review of the progress of the programme.

Establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Rwanda

Cabinet has approved to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Rwanda on a proposal by External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris.

Sri Lanka has shared strong ties with many African nations in the past and continues to enjoy close ties with these nations. Of the 54 African nations, Sri Lanka enjoys diplomatic relations with 32 states.

The government has decided to establish formal diplomatic relations with Africa's newest nation, the Republic of South Sudan too.

Agreement on bilateral co-operation on labour migration with Italian government

Cabinet has approved to sign an agreement on bilateral cooperation on labour migration with the Italian government on a proposal by Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera.

The government has held negotiations with the Italian authorities to reduce the trend of illegal migration to Italy and a draft agreement for migration of labour has been finalized to be signed by representatives of both countries.

The features of the agreement are - establishment of a Local Coordinating Office at the Italian Embassy in Colombo; other Italian government will assist on the linguistic and vocational training of Sri Lankan workers to suit the needs of that country; recruitment will be regulated by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and the Italian Coordinating Office and the Italian government will issue an annual preferential quota for Sri Lankan workers depending on the market requirement.