Cabinet approval for Budget 2015 proposals

Saturday, 9 August 2014 00:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet has granted approval to the Medium Term Budgetary Framework for 2015, prepared targeting an economic boom for the period 2015 to 2017, said Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, addressing the weekly Cabinet media briefing on Thursday. It aims to improve social development, infrastructure and economic capability of the people, food security, energy security and environmental safety with particular emphasis on low income and poor families. Pride of place has been accorded to education, drinking water in districts which are below the national average in social development, health, employment opportunities, basic infrastructure facilities and economic indices, he said.

The second five-year development policy framework of the Government has been implemented since 2011 with the aim of transforming Sri Lanka into a poverty-free country by 2016 and raising per capita income continuously. The President has decided to seek suggestions from different stakeholders before preparing the Budget. The aim of the Government is to redeem Sri Lanka from poverty by 2016. Cabinet has granted approval to many proposals that helped improve social and economic perspectives of the nation, Minister Rambukwella added. Approvals were also granted to the Regulation of Insurance Industry (Amendment) Bill, New Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Bill, Capacity Improvement of Distribution Network maintained by the Lanka Electricity Company (LECO), Construction of a National Sports Museum, Rehabilitation of the A5 road corridor from Badulla to Chenkaladi and the ‘Deyata Kirula’ National Development Program – 2015. The Minister also noted that a committee appointed by Parliament would ensure proper protocols are adhered to when appointing diplomats to the Foreign Service. The committee comprises representatives from different political parties and is vested with the responsibility of going through all the educational qualifications and experience of the individuals. Individuals employed in the External Affairs Ministry have also been appointed in this manner, he added.