Cabinet DECISIONS

United Nations 2014 World Youth Conference in Sri Lanka

The Cabinet agreed to host the United Nations World Youth Conference in 2014. This is on a proposal by Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dullas Alahapperurna.

The Cabinet also gave its approval to obtain official UN endorsement and to use other diplomatic missions abroad to implement the global process for this conference.

SLIATE to establish training branch in Ratnapura

The government has decided to set up a Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) training centre in Ratnapura.

The Cabinet on a proposal by the President, in his capacity as the defence and urban development minister, decided to release an Urban Development Authority owned one acre land in Hidellana, Ratnapura New Town for this.

MoU with Italian Republic for recognition of Sri Lanka's training and certification of seafarers

The Cabinet approved a proposal by the President as the ports and highways minister to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Italian Republic concerning recognition of certificates issued to seafarers between the governments of Sri Lanka and Italy.

Under this MoU, the Italian Maritime Administration will facilitate the Sri Lankan seafarers to be employed on Italian Flag Vessels without holding an equivalent certificate of competency issued by the Maritime Administration of Italy.

Sri Lankan seafarers holding a Certificate of Competency issued by the Sri Lankan government, but employed in a vessel registered in a foreign country, should hold an equivalent Certificate of Competency issued by the Maritime Administration of that country.

T/20 World Cricket Championship in Sri Lanka in September

The Twenty - Twenty (T/20) World Cricket Championship will be held in Sri Lanka around September or October 2012 in terms of an agreement already reached with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Twelve member countries are expected to participate.

There will be 20 teams, comprising both males and females. Altogether 52 matches will be played in the tournament.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage informed the Cabinet that the ICC will provide a direct grant of US $ 9.4 million to Sri Lanka as expenses to host the tournament in addition to another US $ 30 million the ICC expects to spend in Sri Lanka for the tournament.

Since this will be an ideal opportunity for Sri Lanka to promote the country's image, a joint effort will be taken by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Hotels Corporation and the BoI coming under the Economic Development Ministry and also the National Heritage Ministry to effect suitable promotional activities to develop cultural and tourist attractions.

The proposal by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to proceed with the programme of work, was approved by the Cabinet.

MoU on cultural co-operation with Republic of Indonesia

The proposal by Culture and the Arts Minister T B Ekanayake to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Indonesia, to promote and develop cultural co-operation between the two countries was approved by the Cabinet.

This will help enrichment and fostering of the cultures of two countries and also pave the way for exchange of cultural programmes.