Cabinet Decisions

Dedicated Industrial Zone at Kurunegala for pharmaceutical products

* On a proposal made by Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, a Dedicated Industrial Zone for manufacturing of pharmaceutical products is to be established in Kurunegala on a 48 acre block of land identified in order to promote the local pharmaceutical industry.

* At the moment over 10 reputed pharmaceutical manufacturers have expressed their willingness to invest in this industry.

Establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Mali

* The proposal made by Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs for the establishment of Diplomatic Relations with the Republic of Mali, was approved by the Cabinet.

* Mali, with a population of 14,159,904 is located in the interior of Western Africa, South West of Algeria.

The country is highly dependent on gold mining and agricultural exports for its revenue.

* It was observed that out of 54 African countries. Sri Lanka has diplomatic relations with only 32 states.

Procurement of 140,000 vials of Rabies vaccine approved

* This vaccine is recommended by doctors as first treatment against dog bites. The proposal made by Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena, to award the tender for the purchase of 140,000 vials of rabies vaccine to a company was approved by the Cabinet.

* This procurement based on the recommendation by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee will cost US $ 868,000 (Rs. 97,814,654.00).

Credit Agreement with HSBC and People's Bank to finance the construction of 210 rural bridges

* Cabinet approval has already been granted on a proposal by the President for the construction of 210 permanent steel bridges covering the entire island.

* Construction of these bridges connecting the number of villages will greatly facilitate poor communities residing in remote areas to enhance their living standards.

* The proposal made by President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning to enter into loan agreements with HSBC Bank of UK for sum of Sterling Pounds 28,220.757 and with the People's Bank for a sum of Sterling Pounds 6.779,243 was approved by the Cabinet.

US Dollars 100 million WB credit for Transforming School Education System as the foundation of a knowledge hub project

* On a proposal made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to enter into financial agreement, with the International Development Association of the WB to obtain a credit of US dollars 100 million (SDR 64.1 million) to implement the Education Sector Development Framework and programme 2012-2016.

* Under this programme it is expected to establish 4,000 well-performing primary feeder school networks linking 1,000 secondary school programmes to ensure the students' acquisition of cognitive and soft skills which are demanded by the future knowledge-based economy.

* Three hundred and twenty Secondary Schools and 1,200 primary schools have been identified for development in 2012 in association with the Provincial Councils and the rest to be developed within a period of five years.