Cabinet Decisions

ADB assistance for completion of Dry Zone Urban Water and Sanitation Project

The proposal made by the President, in his capacity as the Finance and Planning Minister, to negotiate with the Asian Development Bank to obtain Special Drawing Rights (SDR) equivalent to US$ 40 million as additional financing for the completion of the Original Scope of the Dry Zone Urban Water and Sanitation Project was approved by the Cabinet.

This project will cover the construction of three new water treatment plants in Chilaw, Puttalam and Vavuniya and improvement of sanitation facilities in Chilaw, Puttalam, Vavuniya and Mannar.

This project, on completion, will provide safe drinking water to more than 453,000 people.

Establishment of Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris' proposal to establish a Consulate General in Melbourne, which would cover the states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, for which the concurrence of the Australian government has been received, was approved by the Cabinet.

Melbourne has the largest Sri Lankan community concentration in Australia with a presence of nearly 80,000 to 1 OO,OOO Sri Lankans engaged in multiple fields including employment, education, trade, investment etc.

Joint Task Force for promotion of commercial relations with India

The Cabinet, on a proposal by Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, decided to establish a Joint Task Force representing public and private authorities of Sri Lankan and India to promote mutual trade between the two countries and to promote Indian investment in several key sectors including pharmaceuticals, textiles, auto accessories etc.

The annual value of the two way trade between Sri Lanka and India has reached nearly US$ 5 billion. Sri Lanka's exports to India stands over US $500 million, while its imports from India have been close to US $4.5 billion in 2011. India also agreed to set up an Export Oriented Special Economic Zone with facilities for skill development to promote exports to India from Sri Lanka.

MRI scanner machines for Kandy and Karapitiya Teaching Hospitals

The Cabinet approved Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena's proposal to award the tender for supply, delivery, installation and maintenance of two three Testa MRI Scanner machines for Kandy and Karapitiya Teaching Hospitals.

This will be offered to the lowest bidder, as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, at a cost of US $4,054.495.

Housing and settlement development programme in Colombo

Construction. Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa's proposal to expend Rs 15.6 million for the renovation of housing units under the National Housing Development Authority was approved by the Cabinet. This is to meet the housing needs of the low income community in the city of Colombo and to implement the under mentioned projects aimed at offering a better living standard to the people living in the relevant areas.

The renovation of housing units under the National Housing Development Authority at a cost of Rs 5.6 million, and development of infrastructure facilities of the under- served settlements in the city of Colombo at a cost of Rs 10 million.