Cabinet Decisions

Immediate relief for families affected by Uma Oya project

The Cabinet approved to implement a relief scheme to pay compensation for families affected by the Uma Oya Mulitpurpose Development Project implemented with the assistance from the Islamic Republic of Iran on a proposal by Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The total number of families affected by the construction work under the project is 714, inclusive of 280 families whose houses were affected.

Families who will lose their houses due to acquisition, will be provided blocks of land between 10 to 40 perches to construct houses at Uva Paranagama Moragolla estate, part of Welimada Dyraba estate and in Wellawaya Divisional Secretariat division. Further compensation will be paid for the land acquired based on the market value.

A Valuation Committee and an Appeal Committee will be appointed to process the acquisition on an expedited manner.

Diplomatic relations to be established with Republic of San Marino

The Cabinet decided to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of San Marino, a small independent enclave near central Italy, on the recommendation of External Affairs Acting Minister Neomal Perera.

San Marino, a country with Parliamentary democracy, has the world's oldest written Constitution enacted in 1600 AD. It is one of the wealthiest country's in Europe with a population of 32,140 and a per capita income of US$ 37,830. There is potential for Sri Lanka to promote tourism and to export as it has an annual tourist arrival of 3.5 million.

SLIDA to get Learning and Training campus out of Colombo

The Cabinet gave approval to construct a learning and training campus for the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration at Ambewela, Nuwara Eliya on a 50 acre land on a proposal by Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne.

International Conference on Environment Revolution in Sri Lanka

The Cabinet agreed to hold the international conference on environment revolution in Sri Lanka this year on a proposal by the Environment Minister.

It is envisaged this will be an opportunity for the country to boost its image in the international arena.

Ministers and internationally recognised environmental experts from India and experts from other countries are expected to attend this forum jointly organised by Sri Lanka and India.

Combined development work plan proposed for Weli Oya DS Division

The Cabinet decided to implement a combined development work plan to improve the housing programme in the Weli Oya DS Division on a joint proposal by Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Wimal Weerawansa and M H Gunaratna Weerakoon.

People in the Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Weli-Oya were badly affected due to terrorist activities in the region during the last three decades. There are over 3,100 families in this area known as Mahaweli L Zone of which 857 families live in huts and temporary houses.

According to the new programme to be implemented through the Resettlement Ministry, initially 500 families will be provided Rs 300,000 each for housing facilities. Toilets, drinking water from wells, internal roadways and other basic facilities will be provided. Rs 150 million will be allocated from the General Treasury to the Resettlement Ministry.

Warehouse facilities for three ventures at Hambantota Port

The proposal by the President, as Ports and Highways Minister, to award the contract for warehousing facilities to three bidders, as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee and lease the land lots for operation of warehouses, was approved by the Cabinet.

The following companies have been granted permission; M/s Shree Renuka Sugar Ltd of India for a sugar refinery plant, M/s Peak Energy Pvt Ltd of Singapore for petro chemical plants and M/s Haleys Adventis Ltd for fetrtiliser processing and bagging plant.

National highways to be rehabilitated

Another 328.77 kms belonging to 14 national highways will be developed as proposed by the President in his capacity as the Ports and Highways Minister through local contractors by obtaining funds from local banks.

This will be carried out under the project for rehabilitation of national highways with concrete surfacing through domestic contractors. Work on the rehabilitation of 662.04 kms of roadways at a cost of US $ 500 million is already underway.