Cabinet Decisions

TASK OF MAINTAINING REST AREAS IN SOUTHERN EXPRESSWAY TO BE VESTED IN GOVT OWNED COMPANY

The Cabinet decided to vest the task of development, operation and maintenance of rest areas on the Southern Expressway with Sri Lanka Insurance Resorts and SPAS Private Limited, which is a fully owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited on a 99 year lease, on proposal by the President as Ports and Highways Minister.

The rest area in the country's first E-01 Expressway is at Welipenna on the 44th Km from Kottawa.

RS 341 M FOR RE-LAYING OF PIPE BORNE WATER SCHEME IN GALLE MUNICIPAL AREA

The Cabinet decided to allocate Rs 341 million to proceed with the project for relaying of pipe borne water supply system within the Galle Municipal area on the recommendation of Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The Galle Water Supply Scheme covers 50 Grama Niladhari divisions within the Galle Municipal Council area through 18,235 domestic consumer connections and 2,049 non-domestic consumer connections. The beneficiary population is 101,420 people. Some pipes laid are over 100 years old and need replacement.

It has been observed that the people living within the Galle Municipal Council area do not have an alternative source to cover their daily water needs, except the pipe borne water supplied by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.

SUPPLY OF 2.5 MILLION SEEDS PACKET FOR DIVI NEGUMA - 2012 NATIONAL PROGRAMME

The Agriculture Ministry has been entrusted with the task of providing 2.5 million packets of seeds to the Department of Agrarian Development, each containing 10 varieties of vegetable seeds for the distribution among beneficiaries under Divi Neguma -2012 programme.

The inaugural ceremony of this national programme is to be held islandwide on April 5.

The proposal by Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to procure this requirement through the private sector along with leaflet at a cost of Rs l78 million was approved by the Cabinet.

APPROVAL FOR MOU WITH PAKISTAN ON MASS MEDIA

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding on mass media signed with the Pakistan government during the recent visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Pakistan on the recommendation of Mass Media and Information acting minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene.

The MoU will inter alia facilitate the exchange of visits and training facilities between the two countries.

NATIONAL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT WITH DEGREE AWARDING STATUS TO BE ESTABLISHED

The Cabinet on a proposal by Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahappperuma approved to proceed with the establishment of National School of Business Management with degree awarding status on a 25 acre land allocated at Homagama, Pitipana. The National School of Business Management has been incorporated to conduct degree courses under the supervision of the National Institute of Business Management.

INTRAVENOUS SOLUTION MANUFACTURING PLANT TO BE SET UP IN SRI LANKA

The Cabinet decided to proceed with the establishment of a manufacturing plant of IV fluid needed for health care services on a proposal made by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

Intravenous Solution (IV) plays a major role in providing healthcare services to needy patients of Sri Lanka, especially during natural disasters. The current requirement of this solution in the country is around 11 million units.

There is no manufacturing facility in the country. The cost of imports was US $ 5 million in 2010.

FIVE STORIED BUILDING FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE AT ANURADHAPURA

The Cabinet approved the allocation of Rs 120 million for the construction of a five storied building for the Advanced Technological Institute (ATI) at Anuradhapura on a proposal made by Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake.

This institute functions under the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIAT) and offers Higher National Diploma courses in Accountancy and English.

DIABETES ASSOCIATION OF SRI LANKA GETS LAND AT RAJAGIRIYA

The proposal by President as the Defence and Urban Development Minister to lease out a 19.8 perch block of land at Rajagiriya by the Urban Development Authority to the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka to expand their activities was approved by the Cabinet.

NEW PERFORMING ARTS ACT

The Cabinet decided to introduce a Performing Arts Act to promote the quality of tele - dramas. Dramas broadcast and telecast by electronic media channels will be brought under this proposed act.