[CABINET DECISION]

Agreement between Republic of Ukraine and Sri Lanka on co-operation in field of tourism

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s proposal on co-operation in the field of tourism between the Republic of Ukraine and the Sri Lankan government was approved by the Cabinet.

Kandy City Development Plan

The proposal by the President as Defence and Urban Development Minister to proceed with the Kandy City Development Plan was approved by the Cabinet.

The following projects were identified under Phase I of the programme:

Improvements to the road network from Peradeniya to Katugastota by providing a four lane facility with overhead bridges and tunnels where necessary; construction of pedestrian walkway from Kandy railway station area to the Clock Tower Bus Stand area, improvements to the Clock Tower Bus Stand, relocation of trade stalls along station road to effect road improvement and construction of a walk way around Kandy Lake; and construction of a public car park above the railway line at Wadugodapitiya Street.

Programme funded by local banks for rehabilitation of national highways through domestic contractors

The proposal by the President in his capacity as the Ports and Highways Minister, to include all national highways approved for rehabilitation under one list under this programme and select them to be developed on a priority basis; to call for technical and financial proposals from domestic contractors for the rehabilitation of 716.51 kms of such roads; and to obtain funds for the purpose through local banks with Treasury guarantees, was approved by the Cabinet.

New facilities for universities

Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake’s proposal for the construction of a two storied building to cater to the additional student intake of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce University of Sri Jayewardenepura at a cost of Rs 40 million to provide accommodation to the additional student intake and to entrust the construction work to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) was approved by the Cabinet.

Increasing number of scholarships offered by General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University

The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University has been offering degrees to foreign students of the SAARC region. Approval has been granted for the intake of foreign cadets (two from each country for each intake) from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives. The proposal by the President, in his capacity as the Defence and Urban Development Minister, to extend this facility as a gesture of goodwill to Myanmar, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Vietnam, was approved by the Cabinet. The officer cadets will be entitled to food, accommodation, uniform and rations on par with those entitled to Sri Lankan cadets, out of university funds. An annual stipend of Rs 96,000 will be paid to each cadet.

Construction of a pre-cast building for Faculty of Commerce and Management, University of Kelaniya

Higher Education Minster S B Dissanayake’s proposal to commence construction work of the three storied building in 2013 at a total cost of Rs 25 million and to entrust the work to the State Engineering Corporation was approved by the Cabinet.

Construction of building for Faculty of Applied Sciences - Final Phase - Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya

The proposal by Higher Education Minster S B Dissanayake to award the construction work of the above at Rs 367 million to commence this project in 2013 and complete same within two years was approved by the Cabinet.

Construction of new two storied building for Divisional Secretariat,Medawachchiya

The Medawachchiya Divisional Secretary’s Division consists of 37 Grama Niladhari Divisions. The total population is 50,141. Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne’s proposal to construct the new building at a total cost of Rs 24.96 million was approved by the Cabinet. Construction of pre-fabricated buildings for Police Department

The proposal by the President as the Defence and Urban Development Minister to award the construction of the above buildings to the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) was approved by the Cabinet.

Construction of proposed eight storied building for Epilepsy Hospital and Health Care Centre at National Hospital, Colombo with Saudi government assistance

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena’s proposal to award the above tender to the lowest responsive bidder at a total cost of Rs 1,793,448,086.06 as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (SCAPC), was approved by the Cabinet.

Submission of Gazette Notification issued under Imports and Exports (Control) Act No 01 of 1969 to Parliament

With the vesting of the assets of the Peiwatta and Sevenagala Sugar Industries in the government, the production of sugar and sugar related products such as ethanol has increased.

With a view to reducing the importation of ethanol used for the manufacture of alcohol and pharmaceuticals, the proposal by the President, in his capacity as Finance and Planning Minister to submit the above gazette notification to Parliament for approval, was approved by the Cabinet.

Signing of loan agreement between government of Sri Lanka and European Investment Bank to finance investments on Small and Medium Enterprises and Green Energy Sectors in Sri Lanka

The European Investment Bank agreed to provide financial assistance in Euro 90 million to the Sri Lankan government to finance Small and Medium Enterprises Development and for investments in Green Energy Sectors such as renewable energy initiatives of public and private sector companies.

The proposal by the President as Finance and Planning Minister to proceed with the activities relating to loan arrangements with the European Investment Bank, was approved by the Cabinet.