01. Accelerating Government's procurement procedure (Document No – 06)
H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena has presented following decisions taken at the meeting held on 03-02-2017 with the participation of himself, Hon. Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, relevant government officers, members of Procurement Commission and Procurement Appeal Board for the consideration of the Cabinet of Ministers.
* Take action to publish in gazette the procurement guidelines and instructions issued by the Ministry of Finance from time to time regarding the government's procurement procedure through National Procurement Commission.
* Include new time frames to be followed which have been already approved by the Cabinet in Procurement Guidelines.
* Update and amend suitably the current procurement guidelines paying attention on new trends such as e-procurement.
* In government constructions work on a general construction plan in suitable situations to reduce the money and time spent on designing.
* Take action to provide technical skills to government officers on government procurement procedure.
02. Obtain 03 ships for the use of Sri Lanka Coast Guard Department (Document No – 07)
The Department of Coast Guard is engaged in operations of the Sri Lankan sea in extent of 517,000 square kilometres, and to perform their duties successfully they should have ships that are capable of launching in deep as well as shallow seas. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, to construct 03 nos. of offshore patrol ships with a length of 85m through Colombo Dockyard Company, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
03. Project for implementing National Bio safety Framework with conform to Cartagena Protocol on Bio safety (Document No – 08)
Above protocol was adopted by global community to reduce the risk of genetic changes to the environment and human health, and Sri Lanka is a member of that protocol. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to implement a project for implementing National Bio safety Framework using USD 2.36 million granted by the Global Environmental Facility within 2017-2020, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
04. Setting up floating solar power plants on Mahaweli reservoirs (Document No – 09)
The cabinet has already approved the above programme as a policy and as its first step it has been decided to construct a solar power plant with a capacity of 100 Mw using less than 4% of Maduru Oya Reservoir which is about 500 acres. Accordingly, the joint proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology and Research, and Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, to call for international competitive proposals on the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
05. Implementing rural development projects based on enterprise development (Document No – 10)
Although the socio-economic status in Northern and Eastern Provinces has considerably developed, the situation related to income inequality and poverty is unsatisfactory. Accordingly, the above project has been planned to providing concessionary loans for 1785 small scale entrepreneurs covering all eight (08) districts subject to a maximum of Rs. 250,000/- with the cooperation of Rural Development Bank and Sanasa Banks for uplifting their living standards. The proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation, to implement the above project through Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
06. Provision of railway reservations to public institutions for public activities on lease basis (Document No – 13)
The Department of Railway provides lands belonging to the department for less than five (05) years to third parties on lease basis for public activities. The proposal made by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, to charge only 1% charge of the assessed value and administrative expenses when providing them for public utility tasks such as laying of water pipes and electricity projects, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
07. Allocation of a land for Pakistan High commission in Colombo (Document No – 15)
The proposal made by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to allocate a land of 1.5 acres in Barnes Place, Colombo 7 to the Pakistan High Commission to build its Chancery Building, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
8. Post-disaster needs assessment report related to floods and landslides occurred in May 2016 (Document No – 16)
The most disasters flood and landslide was reported in May 2016 after 18 years affecting 24 districts and causing 93 deaths, 33 injuries and 117 disappearances and affecting a total of 493,319 victims. The Ministry of Disaster Management has done a Post-disaster Needs Assessment with the UN, World Bank, European Union and relevant ministries, and it has made long term plan for minimizing future risks. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Disaster Management, to implement a broad disaster management programme within the five years from 2018-2023 based on the recommendations of the report, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
09. Training Programme for facilitating prototype manufacturing of Solar panels (Document No – 17)
The government plans to generate 20% of overall electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2020 and the Cabinet has approved implementation of a training project on prototype manufacturing of solar panels on 06-04-2016. Four professors of 04 Universities of Kelaniya, Jaffna, Ruhuna and Peradeniya and a professor of National Institute of Fundamental Studies are engaged in providing trainings. The proposal made by Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology and Research, to obtain additional allocations of Rs. 80 million for obtaining required equipment, chemicals and consumer goods for this project, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
10. Introducing the concept of Statement of Corporate Intent for strategically important public enterprises (Document No – 18)
The above concept could be applied for public enterprises to encourage and facilitate to sustain those enterprises independently without depending on treasury. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance, to implement the Statements of Corporate Intent signed by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Secretaries of line ministries and relevant Chairman of Ceylon Electricity Board, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. and Sri Lanka Ports Authority which are strategically important enterprises for the government, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
11. Establishment of a new vocational training centre in Pahala Yagoda, Gampaha (Document No – 19)
About 17,500 students annually leave schools after sitting for OL and AL examinations in Gampaha District but maximum number of students enrolled in vocational training centres is about 7300 and only 960 can be enrolled to training centres of Vocational Training Authority. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, to establish a new vocational training centre in Pahala Yagoda area of Gampaha considering the demand for trained technicians, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
12. Providing seed paddy for Yala 2017 and Maha 2017/18 (Document No – 21)
Delayed and insufficient rainfall has caused a vast reduction in paddy cultivation in 2016/17 Maha Season that could result in reduction in harvest as well as seed paddy production required for 2017 Yala and 2017/18 Maha seasons. For affirming food safety in the country, the proposal made by Hon. Duminda Dissanayake, Minister of Agriculture, to produce seed paddy by productions of Department of Agriculture and to distribute among farmers for a concessionary price by purchasing from farmers who have cultivated, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
13. Re-cultivation of abandoned paddy lands in the low country wet zone to minimize the impact on food security due to prevailing drought condition (Document No – 22)
The Department of Agrarian Services has identified 26,122 hectares of abandoned paddy fields in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Galle and Matara districts and it has been proposed to implement a project of cultivating paddy, vegetables and yams in those lands by Ministry of Agriculture, Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Provincial Departments of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Services, and Department of Irrigation. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Duminda Dissanayake, Minister of Agriculture, to provide financial allocations and to encourage farmers for cultivating 17000 hectares of abandoned lands and another 9000 hectares, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
14. Compensation of aggrieved parties in accordance with the recommendations of the report submitted by the committee appointed to investigate into the incident occurred on 09th November 2012 at Welikada Prison (Document No – 28)
27 prisoners have died and one prison officer and 20 prisoners were injured in the above incident. The above committee has recommended paying compensation for 16 prisoners who were killed, and to prison officer and 20 prisoners who were injured. It says that it is unnecessary paying for the rest 11 prisoners as they were killed trying to escape from the jail. Considering the proposal made by Hon. D.M. Swaminathan, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, the Cabinet of Ministers have decided to pay Rs. 2,000,000/- each for 16 prisoners who have died and Rs. 500,000/- each for victims who were injured due to the incident.
15. Facilitating transfer of jet fuel from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (Document No – 29)
It has been proposed to construct 04 steel tanks of 75,000 cubic meter capacity and a pipeline of 23 km to cater the jet fuel demand that could increase in line with improvements in the airport. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, to appoint a Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee and a Technical Evaluation Committee and to call for open international competitive bids for immediate implementation of this project, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. Construction of a synthetic running track for the renovated Bernard Aluwihare Stadium, Matale (Document No – 30)
Bernard Aluwihare stadium which is the largest stadium in Matale District is used not only by athletes in Matale but athletes from Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kandy, Badulla, and Kurunegala Districts. Upgrading it to a sports complex has commenced in last year under the patronage of H.E. the President and there is a need of constructing a synthetic running track for the stadium. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Sports, to construct a running track of 400m and to obtain consultancy services of Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
17. Declaration of Regulations against doping in sports (Document No – 31)
The proposal made by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Sports, to present in parliament for approval, the Anti-doping Regulations (prohibited list) No. 02 of 2016 made by the Minister of Sports under section 34 (1) of the convention against Doping in Sports Act No. 33 of 2013 and published in Gazette (Extraordinary) No. 2006/15 dated 14-02-2017, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
18. Rehabilitation/improvement of the road section from Rambewa to MEdawachchiya on Kandy – Jaffna (A9) road (Document No – 33)
Asian Development Bank has provided a loan of USD 98 million to Sri Lanka for Northern Road Connectivity Project and, the proposal made by Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Higher Education and Highways, to use a portion of the amount to improve the above road section (140.76 km to 150.40 km) and to award the contract to RR Construction (Pvt) Ltd which is the lowest bidder as recommended by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
19. Design and construction of Yan oya left bank main canal (Document No – 35)
Yan Oya is a largest water resources development project in recent times which will benefit people in Anuradhapura and Trincomalee Districts. The left bank canal of the project will supply water for 4,190 hectares of land which faces a great water deficit. Concrete should be laid in whole land which is in extent of 18 Km, due to its location and other complex designs including a 05km long tunnel should be constructed.
It is observed that it requires international expertise knowledge but with the time spent for open international competitive bidding supply of water to needy people will be delayed. Hence, it would be productive to obtain the service of main contractor of the Yan Oya Project China CAMCE Engineering for this project. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, to call for Technical and Financial proposals from China CAMCE Engineering for design and construction of this canal within 24 months on Engineering, Procurement and Construction basis, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
20. Calling for expression of intention and project proposals for Kumbukkan Oya Reservoir project (Document No – 36)
The above reservoir with a capacity of 48 million cubic meters will provide water for 4280 hectares of new lands and 1255 existing lands and will generate electricity of 16 GWh and will provide drinking water. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, to call for expression of intention and project proposals for identifying a suitable construction company, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
21. Calling for expression of intention and project proposals for Heda Oya Reservoir project (Document No – 37)
The proposed above reservoir with a capacity of 147 million cubic meters, a diversion dam in 6.4 km below the reservoir, 16 km long right bank canal and 13.5 km long left bank canal, will provide water for 5308 hectares of new and existing lands in Heda Oya, Wila Oya and Karanda Oya basins and will provide 05 million cubic meters of water for drinking and other domestic purposes for Pothuwil, Lahugala, and Panama areas. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, to call for expression of intention and project proposals for identifying a suitable construction company, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
22. Amendments to the Office on Missing Persons (Establishment, Administration and discharge of functions) Act No 14 of 2016 (Document No – 39)
The above act was passed in parliament on 23 August 2016. The proposal made by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to publish in the gazette and present in parliament for approval, the Office on Missing Persons (Establishment, Administration and discharge of functions) (Amendment) Bill drafted by the Legal Draftsman to repeal its paragraph (a) of article 11 that authorizes the said office to enter into agreements with an individual or an organization in performing its tasks, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
23. Signing the concord of the Indian Ocean Rim Association as an outcome document of the IORA leaders' summit (Document No – 41)
Above summit is to be held on 07 March 2017 at Jakarta, Indonesia, and H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena will attend the summit. The proposal made by Hon. Harsha de Silva, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, to sign the agreement at the summit with the expectation of promoting consultation and cooperation between its member countries, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
24. Signing of two bilateral memorandums of understanding between Sri Lanka and Indonesia during the visit of H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena to Indonesia on 08 March 2017 (Document No – 42)
The proposal made by Hon. Harsha de Silva, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, to sign the following bilateral MoUs during the visit of H.E. the President, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
* MoU between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka on marine and fisheries cooperation
* MoU between Marketing Service Agency for the Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives of Indonesia and the National Craft Council of Sri Lanka on traditional industrial cooperation
25. Importation of rice to control price hike and shortage in the domestic market (Document No – 45)
The Cabinet has approved importation of rice through private importers to control the price hike on 20-12-2016 and by 26-02-2017 113,000 MT of rice have been imported and a slight reduce in price is observed. However, the stocks available in market are still insufficient the proposal made by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, to import 20000 MT of rice monthly through Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE), and to have a buffer stock of 100,000 MT with CWE and import the same through government to government basis and to sell the imported rice in Sathosa outlets and through open market, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
