Decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting held on 05.11.2018
1. Climate Change Mitigation Action Support Project (Document No.05)
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the implementation of Climate Change Mitigation Action Support Project under World Bank subsidies to minimize emission of greenhouse gases. Accordingly the proposal presented by H.E. the president Maithreepala Sirisena in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment to establish a Project Management Unit consist of experts in the field and the officers of Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, for proper management of the project, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
2. Construction of the Head Quarters Building of Sri Lanka Coast Guard Department (Document No. 06)
The duty of Sri Lanka Coast Guard Department is to protect Sri Lanka Marine Zone and the life and Properties inside. It has been decided that a fully-equipped headquarters should be set up in a suburb of Colombo for this department, in order to hold meetings, conferences, and Bilateral official meetings, carry out proper supervision on administrative activities and coast guard operations , and to keep proper coordination with government institutions enabling the Department to provide more productive and efficient duty. Accordingly The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by H.E. the President, Maithreepala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Defence to construct a 11 story headquarters building in the same land where an office of this department has already been established.
3. Revision of charges for the services provided by Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Jaya Containers Terminal Pvt.Ltd (Document No. 13)
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Ports and Shipping to revise the charges relating to the services provided by Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Jaya Containers Terminal Pvt.Ltd. facilitating to enhance the quality of service and to meet the present competition.
4. Strengthening Crop Forecasting Information System in order to mitigate food crop surpluses and shortages. (Document No.15)
The Department of Agriculture issues Crop Forecasting Reports which indicate information on condition of the crops cultivated all over the island, crop damages and harvesting. These reports can be considered as the reliable data source to take timely decisions including the importation of food crops. This database is presently practiced through a software called Crop Forecasting Information System. The cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture to improve this database by using existing resources in Agricultural Service Centres located all over the country, Offices of Deputy Directors of Agriculture and Mahaweli Zone Offices with the intention of utilizing the same in more productive and efficient manner.
5. Improvement of facilities in the Schools of Agriculture in Sri Lanka (Document No 17)
Five schools of Agriculture, Kundasale, Pelwehera, Agunakolapelessa, Karapincha and Vavuniya, introduce modern technology in agriculture to attract young generation to the field of Agriculture and pass out NVQ 5 level Agriculture Diploma holders. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture to enhance the quality and quantity of agricultural products in the country with the assistance of the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training by expanding the number of students recruited to these schools and providing them a more standard knowledge.
6. Repairing Abandoned Rural Tanks (Document No.18)
In accordance with the Agricultural Department’s Minor Irrigations and Primary Water Sources Database it has been identified that there are 14,421 tanks in operation and 1,958 tanks are abandoned under the grounds such as internal conflict and spreading infectious diseases. By repairing these tanks, it is expected to cultivate 97,000 acre of new arable lands. Considering the utilization of these tanks to Nourish groundwater sources, afforestation of present barren lands and the benefits gain by wild animals, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture to repair the tanks which are technically recommended.
7. Implementation of an Expedited Agriculture Development Program “Krushi Navodaya in North East” (Document No. 20)
Avoidance of challenges such as less productivity, lack of seeds, land use issues, climate changes, post crop management inabilities, marketing and value addition difficulties, Water supply issues, tank reconstruction and agricultural road issues, lack of infrastructure facilities and officers engaged in the field of agriculture, is identified as an essential factor to increase the agricultural harvest in Northern and Eastern Provinces. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture to implement an expedited agriculture development program named “Krushi Nawodaya in North East” in order to enhance the contribution of Northern and Eastern provinces to the National Economy and to uplift life standard of the people in the area.
8. Amendment of Sri Lanka National Freedom from Hunger Campaign Law.
Sri Lanka National Freedom from Hunger Campaign Law is required to be amended to meet the present economic and global trends. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture to prepare respective bills to amend the name of Sri Lanka National Freedom from Hunger Campaign Board as “ National Food Promotion and Agricultural Marketing board “ and to revise the general objectives of the board.
9. “Bio Energy 2022” , Bio Energy Project for Economic Development (Document No.27)
The importance of promoting the use of Local Energy Sources has been identified to mitigate the foreign exchange spent on importing fuel such as petroleum and coal to fulfil the energy requirements in Sri Lanka. Hence a Program named “ Bio Energy 2022” is designed to focus 1000 new entrepreneurs on Biomass Cultivation through 50 biomass collecting and supplying centres established all over the country. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Minister of Power and Renewable Energy to implement this project with the support of Government, Private and Foreign funds.
10. Awarding the contract for the construction of Applied Science Faculties in Sabaragamuwa University (Document No. 55)
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Hon. Dr.Wijedasa Rajapaksha, Minister of Education and Higher Education to award the contract of phase II Part I constructions of proposed new building complex for Applied Science Faculty in Sabaragamuwa University to Sathuta Builders Pvt.Ltd for Rs. 452.4 million upon the recommendation of Standing Procurement committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers.
11. Name the Cabinet Spokespersons (Document No. 44)
The Cabinet of Ministers decided to name Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Ports and Shipping and Hon. Keheliya Rambukella, Minister of Mass Media and Digital infrastructure as Cabinet Spokespersons.
