Cabinet decisions

Given below is a synopsis of the Cabinet decisions made yesterday and released by the Government Information Department:  

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to introduce the financial leasing method for purchasing vehicles for government agencies and purchases to be made only from the two state banks or their subsidiary company on leasing.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to present the Bill to give effect to the International Convention for the Suppression of Nuclear Terrorism in Parliament, once it is re-gazetted.

This convention was negotiated and concluded on 1 April 2005 by the UN Ad-hoc Committee on Terrorism under the Chairmanship of Sri Lanka and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 13 April 2005.

 The domestic implementation of the Convention requires the framing of necessary implementing legislation. The Convention bolsters the global legal framework to counter terrorist threats and is a key part of global efforts to prevent terrorists from gaining access to weapons of mass destruction.

Cabinet approval was received for the Maritime Cultural Heritage Bill and to publish it in the

gazette and submit it to Parliament. This Bill provides for the establishment of the Maritime Cultural Heritage Authority to control, manage and protect the Maritime Cultural Heritage of Sri Lanka in accordance with the provisions of the Antiquities Ordinance. This Authority could grant licences for surveys and excavations within the territorial sea of Sri Lanka and to supervise such activities.

Cabinet approval was granted to amend the Employees' Provident Fund Act No.15 of 1958. The major amendments will be 30% withdrawal from the funds by members for housing or for medical treatment. ‘Housing purposes’ will cover the construction of a house, purchase of land for construction of a house, purchase of housing property, redemption of mortgage on housing property and for the settlement of an outstanding balance of a housing loan received from an approved Bank. Medical treatment will cover, heart surgery, by-pass surgery, treatment for cancer, kidney transplant, caesarean operation or for hospitalisation for not less than 14 days.

Approval was granted to publish the Amending Bill in the Gazette and to present it in Parliament for approval, subject to the stipulations made by the General Treasury.

Cabinet approval was granted to fill 150 vacancies existing as at 01. 07. 2010 in Class III of the Sri Lanka Administration Service (SLAS), on the results of the examination held for recruitment to Class III of the SLAS – 2008.

   63rd Independence Day Celebrations scheduled for 4 February 2011 — Cabinet approval was granted for the appointment of the Cabinet Sub-Committee consisting of the following to draw up a programme and to organise the relevant activities.

Cabinet approval was granted for the allocation of 254 land blocks at Millewa, Kalutara, Ratmalana, Templeburg, Bata Atha, Nalanda, Ulapane, Uva Paranagama,, Nawagampura, Trincomalee, Puttalam, Dankotuwa, Makandura (West) and Makandura (East) Industrial Estates, to prospective investors to commence industries.

The land blocks will be allocated in keeping with the instructions issued by the Presidential Secretariat on allocation of such lands.  

Cabinet approval was granted for a sustainable short term programme for the purchase, storage and transport of paddy and for the distribution of rice among the consumers, beginning from 2010/2011 Maha Season. This programme will be implemented in association with Chief Ministers of Provinces, District Secretaries and other Provincial Authorities.

Cabinet approval was granted to the Appropriation Bill 2011 and it will be presented in Parliament on 22nd November. While the second reading debate will be held from 22 to 27 November, the third reading will be held from 29 November to 20 December.