3.4.2008
Measures
to speed up 'Bimsaviya programme'
Minister
of Land and Land Development, Jeevan Kumaranatunga Cabinet
has granted approval to a memorandum submitted by the
Minister of Land and Land Development, Jeevan Kumaranatunga
to obtain the services of the private sector to survey
land in the 'Bimsaviya Project' under the supervision
of Surveyor General to expedite the process. These private
surveyors will complement the work components performed
by Govt. Surveyors.
The Cabinet also granted approval to make payments based
on rates submitted by those surveyors for surveying of
each portion of land.
Objectives
of the Bimsaviya programme, being implemented under the
Title Registration Act, are to direct people towards new
development approach based on the 'Land' by establishing
the ownership of lands, utilization of land resource as
supportive factor for economic development through resolving
land-related problems, to reach new vistas in the management
and planning of land use through the establishment of
computerized data system in order to achieve accelerated
development.
The
Bimsaviya project is a joint effort by the Land Settlement
Department, Survey Department and Registrar General's
Department under which it is necessary to survey all lands
and prepare maps by Govt. surveyors, shortage of whom
has been a problem in this effort.
New project for the production
and promotion of Organic fertilizer locally
ImageCabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted
by Minister of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services
Maithripala Sirisena for the implementation of a new project
worth Rs. 500 million for the production and promotion
of organic fertilizer allocated from budgetary provision
2008 and to allocate Rs 750 Million and Rs 1000 Million
respectively from budgetary provisions 2009 and 2010 for
same.
Nearly 95% of the present requirement of chemical fertilizer
in Sri Lanka is imported. The Government's anticipated
expenditure for such import in 2008 will be in the region
of RS 22000 million. Long term utilization of chemical
fertilizer would result in losing fertility of the soil
which in turn would lead to low productivity and ground
water pollution. According to research chemical fertilizer
importation could be reduced by about 25% though production
and promotion of organic fertilizer. The other benefits
of applying organic fertilizer are increasing crop production
,retaining soil fertility at maximum level, saving of
foreign exchange required for chemical fertilizer imports,
and prevention of environmental pollution the expected
goals of the implementation of the project are,
i.
Increasing the production of organic manure and encouraging
fanners to apply same in their cultivations
ii. Increasing crop production and up-grading fertility
of the soil thought introduction of organic fertilizer
in addition to chemical fertilizer.
i i i. Encouraging interested parties to produce organic
manure systematically up to the standard level through
introduction technological methods.
Iv. Achieving a reduction of25% in the import of chemical
fertilizer during the next 03 year period through production
and promotion of organic manure
The estimated cost of the project for 2008 amounts to
Rs 500 M. and financial requirement for 2009 and 2010
will be Rs 750 M and Rs 1000million respectively
Api
Vawamu Rata Nagamu to be extended to 2010
Cabinet
approved a memorandum submitted by Minister of Agriculture
Development and Agrarian Services Maithripala Sirisena
to implement a national campaign to motivate domestic
food production, 'Let Us Cultivate and Uplifts the Nation'
launched by His Excellency the President on the 03rd of
September 2007 over a period of 03 years up to 2010.
Accordingly
Cabinet approval was granted to spend the provision of
Rs.305 million on same allocated from budget estimates-2008,
and to allocate Rs. 205 million and Rs.195 million respectively
for continuation for the programmes during 2009 and 2010.
Presently
32% of the country's food requirement is imported costing
nearly Rs.100 billion per year. According to statistics,
a sum of approximately Rs 49 billion has been spent on
food imports during 2006 which include fruits and supplementary
food crops excluding sugar, fish and milk productions.
Implementation
of job oriented English Language programme for youth
ImageCabinet
approved a memorandum submitted by H.E. President Mahinda
Rajapaksa for the implementation of the Presidential Initiative
'English as a Life Skill', Job Oriented English Language
Improvement programme. This programme has been introduced
as an intensive English language skill improvement program
targeting youth above 18 years of age.
The Cabinet approval was also granted for the following,
1. Implement the program by obtaining the fullest cooperation
from both the public sector and the private sector;
2. Grant tax concessions and other infrastructure facilities
for the contributions to the proposed fund;
3. Establish a Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT)
in Sri Lanka by the English and Foreign Languages University
(EFLU) of Hyderabad, India;
4. Conduct Examinations for certification of English Language
skills of Teachers and other providers of English language;
5. Develop Distance Learning Programs to be telecast over
Sri Lanka TV channels with the technical support from
relevant Indian institutions; and
6. Provide financial assistance to 50,000 persons between
the ages 18 and 24 years over a period of 03 years to
acquire Job Oriented Communicative English Skills through
a loan scheme subscribed by the government and the private
sector.
Recruitment
of holders of Diplomas in Teaching to the Teachers' Service
ImageCabinet
granted approval to a memorandum submitted by A.D. Susil
Premajayantha as the Minister of Education for making
a policy decision relating to action to be taken appointments
according to the teacher requirements prevailing in Provinces
other than Western Province and Southern Province and
relating to specific subjects to award appointments based
on the vacancies existing in the various Provinces.
In awarding teaching appointments in year 2008 for these
Dipolma holders who have passed the Diploma in Teaching
in Sinhala Medium! Tamil Medium and English Mediums priority
will be given based on the requirement of services in
the following Provinces and Districts. For Hambantota
district in Southern Province, for Moneragala district
in Uva Province, North Central Province, Northern Province
and Eastern Province.
Additional
funds for Kantale Sugar Industries
Cabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by
Minister of Supplementary Plantation Crops Development
R.M.Dharmadasa Banda to provide funds amounting Rs.1,
500,000/ monthly to pay salaries to the staff of Kantale
Sugar Industries Ltd. (KSIL) who have been employed for
the sale purpose of the safety and security of its assets
and other expenses there to from January to June 2008.
Appointment
of Moulavi Teachers for Teaching Arabic and Islam in Muslim
Schools
Cabinet
granted approval to a memorandum submitted by Minister
of Education, Susil Premajayantha to recruit 635 Moulavi
teachers.
Lack
of Moulavi teachers for teaching Islam and Arabic Language
for Muslim students who receive their education in Sinhala
medium is found to be a serious loss. A large number of
Maulavi teachers have left the service and on retirement.
Anusha Palpita
Director of Government Information
Courtesy
- Government Information