Decisions taken at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 19.12.2022.
01. Establishment of Sri Lanka Institution of Economics and Trade Institute.
It is essential for the Members of Parliament as well as the government officers to obtain training on economic and trade activities so that entering into decisions with understanding is possible when formulating national policies and implementing them. Therefore, it has been recognized as appropriate that an entity named “Sri Lanka Institution of Economic and Trade be established Institute” to enable provision of necessary facilities. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Hon. President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft a bill for the establishment of Sri Lanka Institution of Economics and Trade.
02. Establishment of a training centre for Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau in the district of Monaragala.
Although Monaragala is the second largest district geographically, no office or a training centre of SLFEB has been in operation in that district. The closest training centre to that district are Haliela training centre in Badulla district, Tangalle training centre in Hambantota district and Ampara district training centre. While the training center along side the Monaragala – Bibila highway which is under the supervision of the Department of Divi Neguma is suitable for establishing a district training centre for Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, it may be possible to provide required training facilities for foreign employment seekers in low income families in the district of Monaragala. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the joint resolution furnished by the Hon. President as the Minister of Women, Child Activities and Social Empowerment and the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment to entrust the training centre along the Monaragala – Bibila highway under the supervision of the Department of Divineguma with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau
03. Introduction of new VISA categories for Colombo Port City.
Issuance of VISA and fulfilling other relevant activities to the investors and other relevant parties expected to arrive for various services such as international trade, navel and monitoring, financial, information technology and tourism etc. that is expected to be established in the Colombo Port City should be done by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Public Security to take necessary steps to introduce following VISA categories subject to the recommendations of the Colombo Port City Commission:
- ‘Investment VISA’ category for investors under residential VISA category.
- ‘Employment VISA’ for employees
- ‘CPC residential property lease vendor’ VISA category for foreigners who reside within the Colombo Port City on lease.
04. Rural financing programme implemented under small tea and rubber estate restoration project.
The Government of Sri Lanka and the International Fund for Agricultural Development has entered into an agreement for implementing the Small Tea and Rubber Estate Restoration Project. ‘Rural Financing Programme’ is implemented under that project and is scheduled to be wound up from 31.12.2022. Another Rs.172.35 million from the allocated sum for the said programme is to be released to the beneficiaries as loans. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the Minister of Plantation Industries to extend the period of the said programme until 30.06.2023.
05. Finding additional provisions for enhancement and conservation of the National Art Gallery.
Although renovation activities of National Art Gallery were planned to be completed within this year, it could not have been completed due to the situation prevailed within the country. Approximately 80% of the relevant renovation has been completed by now and plans and estimations relevant to the completion of the remaining work has been prepared by the architecture faculty of the University of Moratuwa. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to receive required provisions to completed the remaining renovation activities within the year 2023.
06. Extension of credit validity period of the Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Assistance Project.
The Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Assistance Project is being implemented under two grants from the Asian Development Fund, the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility and the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. The date of completion of the project under 4 packages has been extended up to 29.11.2023. Accordingly, the Cabinet approval was granted for the proposal made by the Minister of Power and Energy to extend the validity period of the Asian Development Bank credit facility up to 31.03.2024in order to secure the necessary funds. 3
07. Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Sri Lanka (Incorporation) Bill.
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Sri Lanka was established in 1987 under the Ceylon Shipping Corporation with the patronage of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers of England. The Institute is comprised of Fellow Members and Associate Members and the main objective of the Institute is to confirm and enhance the professional competence of the Shipbrokers. Providing opportunities to promote the professional training skills of the members in the field through educational programs, conferences and workshops and to provide training opportunities for the youth community interested in the field are also among the objectives of the Institute. Mr.Buddhika Pathirana, Member of Parliament for Matara District has submitted a personal proposal to Parliament to establish this institution through an Act of Parliament in order to perform its activities more formally and effectively, and the Attorney Generals Clearance has been received for the Bill prepared. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation to submit a report to the Parliament recommending the said Bill in accordance with the provisions of Standing Orders 52(6) of the Parliament.
08. Submission of Regulations issued under the Imports & Exports (Control) Act NO.1 of 1969 for Parliamentary Approval.
The proposal presented by Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies to present “Imports & Exports (Control) Regulations No. 21 of 2022” and “ Import control regulations for payment Terms no 22 of 2022” issued under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act No.1 of 1969 for parliamentary approval was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
09. Establishment of an office for the affairs of Sri Lankans living abroad.
In the Interim Budget 2022, the Honorable President has proposed to establish an office for the affairs of Sri Lankans living abroad, as a central coordination center, to get their assistance to the country. Accordingly the cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to establish the proposed “office for the affairs of Sri Lankans living abroad” under the Presidential Secretariat enabling the receipt of their assistance to Sri Lanka.
10. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Bill Approval for the preparation of the Central Bank Act was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 29.10.2019.
The Central Bank Bill prepared accordingly has been published in the Government Gazette on 01.01.2019. Although this was submitted to Parliament for approval, it was not included in the agenda book. New amendments have been added to the original Bill and improved to suit the current needs so that the activities of the Central Bank can be performed more 4 efficiently and effectively. The Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of finance, Economic Stability and National Policies presented the Bill prepared accordingly by the legal draftsman and the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers granted.
11. Evaluating the contribution of Upcountry Tamils to the Sri Lankan Economy
The Upcountry Tamil people who migrated from India and live in central, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces have been contributing to the national economy in various ways for about 200 years. Their contribution is about 1/3 of the total income of the plantation sector. By February 2023, it will be 200 years since the arrival at first generations of the Up-Country Tamil community to Sri Lanka. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers agreed to the resolution made by The Hon. President to implement the identified programs with the aim of improving their living conditions of this community through the Ministry of Plantation and Other relevant Government Bodies.
