Decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers on 14.08.2023
- Agreement between the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and Hambantota Oil refinery (Pvt.) Ltd.
The Cabinet of Ministers has given it’s approval on 17.09.2019 to enter into an agreement between
the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and Hambantota Oil refinery (Pvt.) Ltd for the construction
of a petroleum refinery with a capacity of 420000 barrels per day in the Hambantota area only for
the export market. 1200 acres of land has also been allocated on a 50-year long-term lease basis for
the implementation of the project. But the project proponent has not acquired the relevant land on
lease basis and the project has not been implemented till now. The project proponent has been
informed several times in writing regarding the implementation of the project, but he has not
responded. The project proponent has not acted according to the provisions of the agreement reached
between the two parties. For this reason, the Cabinet of Ministers approved proposal presented by
the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotion to cancel the said
agreement for this reason.
02. Construction of power line on 33 kilowatt double circuit zebra towers from Kelawarapitiya
grid substation to Nugape Junction
The cabinet of Ministers has given approval on 19.12.2022 to authorize the minister of
Environment to issue an gazette notification amending the existing extraordinary gazette notification
No. 1466/26 dated 13.10.2006 to declare the construction of a power line on 33 kilowatt double
circuit zebra towers from the Kelawarapitiya grid substation to the Nugape junction along the
Mudianse Canal in the Muthurajawela Environmental Protection Area, as a authorized activity. The
Central Environment Authority has informed the Electricity Board that instead of constructing the
power line along the Mudiyanse canal, it may grant the necessary approval for the construction along
the boundary of the environmental protection area. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved
the proposal made by the Minister of Power and Energy to authorize the Minister of Environment
to amend the Extraordinary Gazette Notification 1466/26 dated 13.102006 and to issue a new
Gazette Notification through the Central Environment Authority, declaring the work as a permitted
activity so that the power line can be constructed along the proposed alternative route.
03. Integrated Strategic Communication Program to promote Sri Lanka’s national ambitions and
international image
It has been recognized the need to implement a strategic communication program in order to
consciously manage a correct foreign policy by strengthening international relations and to raise Sri
Lanka’s international image to face global and regional challenges. Accordingly the Cabinet of
Ministers approved the combined proposal presented by the Minister of Mass Media and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs to implement a joint communication program jointly by the Ministry of
Mass Media and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote Sri Lanka’s national ambitions and
international image.
04. Amendments to Code of Civil Procedure (101 Authority) (Pre-Trial Conferences)
Cabinet approval has been granted on 27.09.2021 to amend the Code of Civil Procedure so as to take
appropriate remedies for the problems and challenges that have arisen after the implementation of
the new provisions related to pre-trial proceedings introduced by the Code of Civil Procedure
(Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2017 and to speed up legal proceedings and reduce the time taken to
render judgments. The respective revised bill has been prepared by the legal draftsman and the
Auditor General’s clearance also has been given for the same. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers
approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional
Reforms, to publish the said bill in the Government Gazette and to submit for the parliamentary
approval consequently
05. Guidelines prepared under the provisions of the Office on Missing Persons Act
According to the provisions of Section 11 (c) of the Office on Missing Persons (Establishment,
Administration and Discharge of Functions) Act No. 14 of 2016, relevant rules and guidelines
should be issued in advance, including the policies to be followed in relation to the implementation
and performance of the powers, functions and duties of that office. The relevant guidelines have
been prepared taking into consideration the observations and recommendations given by the
Attorney General. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the guidelines
presented by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to the Cabinet.
06. Enforcement of bilateral and multilateral agreements
It was decided in the Cabinet meeting held on 22.05.2023 that after entering into bilateral and
multilateral agreements that are determined to be essential for national development, laws should be
enacted to prevent deviation from those agreements without the consent of the relevant parties.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon. President to
advice the legal draftsman to prepare a bill based on the preliminary draft prepared accordingly.
07. Establishment of the National Productivity Commission
Productivity in every sector of the economy should be developed in order to ensure the median and
long – term sustainability of reformations as well as the escalation of acquisitions that is
implemented with the objective of minimizing the impact due to the existing economic crisis for
maximize the benefits acquired through the reformations to the highest level.
However, there is no responsible authority that reserves the legal eligibility to act formally in regard
to productivity and related issues. Therefore, the establishment of the National Productivity
Commission has been recognized as an independent entity for recommending the Government of
policy regulations based on evidences and information that develop on researches as well as for
directing attention on the issues related to productivity. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers
approved the resolution furnished by the Hon. President to appoint an intellectual committee for
submission of a report to the Cabinet of Ministers by deciding the institutional structure of the
proposed National Productivity Commission, formulation of laws required for the establishment of
the said Commission and studying on the other particulars for the establishment of the said
Commission
08. Establishment of a new Department for development of cinnamon
Considering the contribution of the cinnamon crop as a minor export crop renders to earn foreign
exchange earnings, the Hon. President pointed out the essentiality of promoting it as a commercial
crop as a budget proposal for the year 2023. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted their
approval to the resolution jointly furnished by the Hon. President and the Minister of Plantation
Industries to establish a new Department named the Department of Cinnamon Development for
rendering facilities for the producers, suppliers as well as the exporters for activities such as
producing and exporting cinnamon, enhancing the quality of cinnamon products, value addition,
diversification of products etc.
09. Submission of regulations issued under the Import and Export (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969 for
the approval of the Parliament.
Concurrence of the relevant parties have been rendered at the discussion held with them to lift the
import limitations imposed in relevant to goods that have been suspended import temporarily by the
Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 02 of 2023 that has been imposed for limiting import
by sustaining the limitation of import for passenger vehicles / cars and other selected goods.
Providing provisions for such, the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2341/38 dated 20.07.2023
containing Import and Export (Control) regulations No. 11 of 2023 has been published. Accordingly,
the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the Hon. President as the
Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies to submit the said regulations to
the Parliament for its concurrence subject to the provisions of Import and Export (Control) Act No. 1
of 1969.
10. Assigning the Government Rest House building in Kataragama built under the Kataragama
Pooja Bhoomi Planning Scheme to the Kiriwehera Rajamaha Temple
The Government Rest House building built under the Kataragama Pooja Bhoomi Planning Scheme
has been assigned to the Kiriwehera Raja Maha Viharasthan for maintenance and operation for a
period of 5 years and after the expiry of that period, the Rest House has been handed over to the
National Physical Planning Department. The chief incumbent of Kataragama Rajamaha Viharaya
has requested that the said rest Rest House building be given back to Kiriwehera Rajamaha
Viharaya. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal made by the Minister of
Urban Development and Housing to assign the said Rest House building to the Kiriwehera Rajamaha
Vihara subject to the settlement of the bills for the maintenance of the building, repair work, and
related contractual services.
11. Award Contract for the supply of Aviation Fuel for Sri Lankan Airlines Limited at Doha
Hamad International Airport and Kuwait International Airport, Qatar.
The existing contracts for the supply of aviation fuel for SriLankan Airlines Limited at Doha Hamad
International Airport and Kuwait International Airport in Qatar will expire on 31.10.2023. Bids were
invited in accordance with government procurement guidelines from Qatar Fuel Company and
Kuwait Aviation Fueling Company (KAFCO), the only aviation fuel suppliers at each airport. As
such, in accordance with the recommendation of the cabinet appointed standing procurement
committee, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Ports,
Shipping and Aviation to award the contracts for the supply of aviation fuel to Sri Lankan Airlines’
aircrafts for a period of 24 months to fuel suppliers at Hamad Airport and Kuwait Airport as a direct
contract.
