Cabinet decisions

Following are the decisions made by the Cabinet at its meeting held this week:

Establishment of an industrial estate in Mannar District

The Government has decided to develop infrastructure facilities in the Mannar District which were adversely affected during the last three decades due to the conflict situation.

It has been observed that investors have identified the potential of developing industrial ventures in the District. This includes the garment industry and industries related to fish processing, production of fishing gear, chemical and salt based products, agro based products and food processing etc.Cabinet approval was granted for the establishment of an Industrial Estate, 24 acres in extent in the Mannar District.

Construction of a vegetable market at Nugegoda Town Centre

With the second stage of the development programme for Nugegoda, it is proposed to develop the Vegetable Market which is located at Nugegoda City Centre, in line with UDA development guidelines.

\Cabinet approval was granted to award the contract to the State Engineering Corporation at a total cost of Rs.72.6 million.

Implementation of regional development initiatives on a fast track basis

The Ministry of Economic Development implements programmes to support the economic growth of regions, while ensuring equitable resource mobilisation to minimise regional disparities.

The following are being implemented at present:

nStalls for displaced pavement hawkers in Pettah

nStalls for displaced pavement hawkers in Nugegoda

nMulti-storey Car Park at National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala

nReconstruction of Galle Bus Stand

Cabinet approval was granted to call for limited quotations from listed State Sector Construction Agencies to fast track regional projects and programmes.

Acquisition of 70 acre Marshy Land in Parliament area for use as Water Retention Area

On the instruction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa urgent measures have been taken for the implementation and management activities of the Greater Colombo Flood Control and Environmental Improvement Project.Identification of water retention areas, control of unauthorised activities in retention areas and maintenance of the network of canals of the Greater Colombo Areas fall under this project. 70 acres of marshy land around the Parliament area have been identified for acquisition to be used as water retention area. The total cost of land acquisition is estimated to be Rs. 112 million.

Cabinet approval was granted to acquire this land and to allocate funds from the Land Ministry vote in 2011

Construction of a bridge across Nikawatura Oya on the left bank of Kalu Ganga with Rs. 45.44 million assistance from the Kuwaiti Fund

Moragahakanda and Kalu Ganga Projects — the detailed engineering designs of Kalu Ganga dam of the Moragahakanda Project have already been initiated under the financial assistance of the Kuwait Fund and construction activities are scheduled to begin in early 2012.The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and OPEC fund for International Development have committed the remaining foreign fund requirement for this project. The Bridge across Nikawathura Oya along the Dagawila-Heenatioya Road where families affected by the construction of the two reservoirs will be resettled need infrastructure facilities. Accordingly this bridge is to be constructed at a total cost of Rs.45.44 million, with funds to be provided in the Budget for 2011.

Compiling a code for the use of the National Anthem

Cabinet approval was granted for printing and publishing the code for the use of the National Anthem compiled by the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs in all three languages. This code is to use national Anthem on all occasions protecting its due respect and pride.

New Projects from the savings of Total Cost Estimate of Menik Ganga (Weheragala) Reservoir Project

Manik Ganga - (Weheragala) Project plan to augment Kirindi Oya Reservoir in Hambantota District is now nearing completion at a cost of Rs.2200 million using domestic funds

The total estimated project cost was Rs. 2900 million. Government has decided to utilise the savings of Rs. 700 million on this project for the following:

nRehabilitation of Kirindi Oya Left Bank and Right Bank Irrigation System at a cost of Rs.400 million

n Rehabilitation of Ellagala Feeder and Main Canals and 5 tanks at a cost of Rs. 90 million.

nConstruction of Attikkawa Anicut at a cost of Rs.150 million.

nRehabilitation of Hangunna Area Feeder Canal and Karawila Mailagama Dedtagamuwa Irrigation System at a cost of Rs.40 million.

nRehabilitation of Galgamuwa Anicut and 5 tank systems at a cost of Rs. 20 million

Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation with the Government of the People’s Republic of China

The Government of the People’s Republic of China with a view to further enhance the friendly relations and bilateral economic and technical cooperation with Sri Lanka, has agreed to provide a grant of Renminbi Yuan 50 million to Sri Lanka. The grants funds will be utilised to implement projects to be agreed upon through consultation between the two governments.

Financial Assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Implementation of Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project

Negotiations have been concluded with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to obtain financial assistance of US$90 million (approximately Rs.10 billion) for the implementation of Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The total investment cost of the project is US $ 164.04 million. An Agency in France has agreed to provide a loan of Euro 35 million (US $ 48 million) to part finance the project. In addition, the International Fund for Agricultural Development has agreed to provide a loan of US $20 million for the downstream development of the Iranamadu Tank from which raw water is to be drawn for the Water Supply Scheme. Two separate financing agreements will be signed for the purpose.This project will supply 300,000 new water connections in the two Districts and connect 20,000 households (80,000) persons in the Jaffna Municipal area to the sewer network.