Cabinet Decisions

Establishment of state bank branches at Warakapola in a single building

The Warakapola Town Development Project is being implemented by the Urban Development Authority (UDA). UDA has acquired 1.6643 Ha of land in Warakapola Town to implement the Warakapola Town Development Project.

The President in his capacity as the defence and urban development minister has proposed to construct a multi - storied building by the UDA to house branches of People's Bank, Bank of Ceylon and the National Savings Bank.

Three blocks of land, 40 P in extent each, have been identified in the land to allocate to the People's Bank, Bank of Ceylon and National Savings Bank.

Cabinet has granted approval to allocate the blocks of lands to the three state banks on a 30 year lease to construct the branch offices.

Cancer project for Northern Province patients

Jaffna Teaching Hospital has basic cancer treatment facilities. Two wards have been allocated for males and females.

It is proposed to construct a new Paediatric High Dependency Unit at the Base Hospital in Tellipillai as there is no space to establish a separate ward for children at Teaching Hospital, Jaffna. The Colours of Courage Trust (COC), a charity organisation has made an undertaking to construct a Radiation Treatment Centre at the Base Hospital and donate medical equipment for the Paediatric High Dependency Unit at the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna. The project is called Trail.

Cabinet approval was granted on a proposal by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to sign a Memorandum of Understanding among four parties, the Health Ministry, Northern Province Provincial Health Ministry and the donor - COC Trust; to implement the Trail project in the Northern Province with financial assistance of COC Trust at a total estimated cost of Rs 200,000,000.00.

Urgent improvements to Bandarawela and Diyatalawa Water Supply Schemes

Cabinet granted approval on a proposal by Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena for the National Water Supply and Drainage Board to carry out the following urgent improvements needed to upgrade the two water supply schemes, to meet the demand for drinking water in the area.

Improvements to Elletota and Aluthwela intakes; supply and installation of two low lift pumps and two booster pumps at Aluthwela; improvements to Diyatalawa and Bandarawela water treatment plants; and intake dam improvement at Kahagolla and Rohampton,

The increased output from both treatment plants would provide adequate drinking water to 7,000 additional service connections. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 252.7 million.

Panduwasnuwara - Hettipola Town Development Project

Hettipola town and Panduwasnuwara sacred area which belongs to the Panduwasnuwara Pradeshiya Sabha in the Kurunegala district has an archeological value with a very good tourist attraction.

Cabinet granted approval to develop Hettipola Town and Panduwasnuwara Sacred Area under a formal town development plan on a proposal by Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A L M Athaullah.

Rs 40 million has been allocated for this project in the 2012 budget estimates.

Upgrading National Institute of Traditional Medicine and Bandaranaike Memorial Ayurvedic Research Institute to status of Autonomous Statutory Institutions

Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake has proposed to upgrade the above two institutions to the status of Autonomous Statutory Institutions since the majority of the employees and the trade unions of the institutions show no objection to the proposal.

The Cabinet granted approval to prepare legislation to upgrade the two institutions to the status of autonomous statutory institutions.

Ceylon Ceramics Corporation release of EPF contributions before reaching 55 years for employees who opt to receive Voluntary Retirement Compensation

Cabinet granted approval to release EPF contributions of Ceylon Ceramics Corporation employees who have opted to retire under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme, before reaching the age of 55 on a proposal by State Resources and Enterprise Development Minister Dayashritha Tissera

Construction of Headworks of Moragahakanda Reservoir

Cabinet approval has been granted for the construction of Moragahakanda Reservoir along with Kaluganga Reservoir as it will facilitate to meet the long term demand for domestic and industrial water needs in the North Central, Northern and Eastern Provinces.

On a proposal by Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and as authorised by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Review Committee (SCARC), Cabinet granted approval to award the EPC contract for the construction of Head - works of Moragahakanda Reservoir Project to SINOHYDRO for US $ 252,302,221 and to enter into a commercial agreement accordingly.

Hosting of Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-12) and Global Industry Leaders Forum (GILF) of International Telecommunication Union - October 3 to 5

The International Telecommunication Union (ITD) is the UN specialised agency responsible for telecommunication, information and communication technology (ICT) and comprises 193 governments and over 700 private companies.

Sri Lanka has been elected unanimously to the Chairmanship of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) at its 50th CTO Council Meeting in 2010 and was re-elected until 2012.

The Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) of ITU is a high level global event to share and exchange information among National Regulatory Authorities from both developed and developing countries.

Around 500 participants from 192 member states including telecom ministers are expected to attend this event. Global Industry Leaders Forum (GILF) which runs parallel to GSR, is an event of the Telecommunication Development Sector bringing together Chief Executives from the ICT industry.

The proposal submitted by the President to host the events and to proceed with matters connected thereto, was approved by the Cabinet.

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between governments of the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka

The Korean government will provide technical and financial assistance for Sri Lanka's development programmes

On a proposal by the President, in his capacity as finance and planning minister, Cabinet granted approval for External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments during the proposed official visit of the President to Korea from April 23 to 27.