New Educational Bill

The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Education Minister Susil Premajayantha on drafting a new Education Bill. The prevailing education act, which is used by the authorities from 1939,

With several amendments made from time to time, has provided legal support for making directives to steer the education systematically in order to achieve the expected goals.The legal provisions provided by this act, are not sufficient enough to absorb the changes that had been taken place in the national and international education arena, into the Sri Lankan education system. Mahinda Chinthana, the policy document, has accepted the necessity of new education act with appropriate changes into the Education Law.A committee of experts headed by the National Education Commission to draft a new education bill has already commenced their work. No need to mention of the complexity of this task, since education is very sensitive subject. In addition, it is extremely important to make the guarantee of participation of a large number of stake holders through a participatory approach, in the process of drafting the bill, acceptable to all parties, for submitting to the parliament.

Re-investigation the re-demarcation of the jurisdiction of courts.

The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Justice and Law Reforms Minister Hon. Amarasiri Dodangoda on the appointment of a Committee to re-investigate the re-demarcation of the Jurisdiction of courts. Hon. Nishaka Udalagama who was a judge of the Supreme Court was appointed to this One-man Committee. He retired from service in November 2006 and the Committee commenced official duties in January 2007. The Committee having considered the requests of public institutions and individuals now visits each district and conducts preliminary sessions at regional level to obtain more representations. At the sessions conducted at the Avissawella Zone, 15 Officers In-charge of Police , 12 Divisional Secretaries, 11 Pradeshiya Sabha members. 4 Bar Associations and large number of others submitted their proposals and views. It was not possible to complete the task within a period of six months commencing from September 2006, the date on which Cabinet approval was granted for the purpose. The former Supreme Court Judge provides his services to the committee on a full time basis. Therefore, the Cabinet has granted its approval to extend the period of the Committee by another six months.

Amalgamation of CFCLand TAFCL

The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Hon. Maithiripala Sirisena on the amalgamation of Ceylon Fertilizer Company Ltd. (CFCL) and Thamankaduwa Agro-Fertilizer Company Ltd.(TAFCL). The CFCL was converted into 5 companies in September 1992. At present the TAFCL comes under the CFCL while the remaining companies have been privatized. Both the CFCL and TAFCL are being administered by same Board of Directors, which includes the Chairman, General Manager and Managers of the CFCL. Therefore, the Cabinet has granted its approval to amalgamate both companies as one entity named CFCL.

Advisory Council on Construction

The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Construction and Engineering Services Minister Hon. Rajitha Senaratne on the appointment of a National Advisory Council on Construction. It has been a long felt need for a single body which could advice and make recommendations on the major issues affecting the sector and also propose measures for the development of construction sector. Such a body with representatives from the public sector as well as from the private sector could also serve as a Think Tank and come up with solutions for major problems faced by the construction industry. The National Advisory Council comprising of 20 members will be headed by the Hon. Minister of Construction and Engineering Services.

National policy on solid waste management

The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka on the formulation of a national policy on solid waste management. The main objectives of the draft policy includes the ensuring environmental accountability and social responsibility of all waste generators and service providers, and to minimize adverse environmental impacts due to waste disposal to ensure health and well-being of the people and on eco-systems. Therefore, the Cabinet has granted its approval to the draft national policy and prepare strategies and action plans in consultation with the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils to implement it.

Improving the air quality by regulating the use of two-stroke three wheelers

The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka on the improving urban air quality by regulating the use of two-stroke three wheelers. The Cabinet in its meeting on 22.01.2007 has granted approval to direct the Controller of Imports and Exports, to prohibit import of three wheelers powered by two-strokes petrol engines with effect from January 1, 2008, to prohibit import of spare parts for such engines with effect from January 1, 2008, to grant a grace period of six months for registration of two stroke imported prior to January 1, 2008 and to direct the Commissioner of Motor Traffic to suspend registration of two stroke three wheelers from July 1, 2008. As representation made to the Hon. Minister to the effect that the Cabinet decision affected 300,000 three-wheeler owners, an Expert Committee was appointed. After considering several such areas such as air pollution caused by existing two-stroke three wheeler fleet etc. has been recommended by the Committee. The Cabinet has granted its approval to director the Commissioner of Motor Traffic, among others to, set in motion the implementation of the Vehicle Emission Testing Program and to consider establishing a regulatory body for motor vehicles to set norms, guidelines and standards to regulate imports, manufacture, emission, efficiency and operations etc.

Senior citizen to be recruited on a voluntary basis

The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka to obtain the services o senior citizens retired from the State Sector, on voluntary basis for the conservation of environment and the management of natural resources. The Cabinet has granted approval to identify senior citizens by the Ministry and maintain a register as a pool of senor citizens and to identify the selected persons as the public coordinating personnel at local and district levels to serve initially on a pilot projects.

Elephant Conservation Trust Fund to be formed

The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka on the establishment of a Elephant Conservation Fund. The Cabinet granted its approval in principle to establish the Elephant Conservation Trust Fund, to appoint a committee and to allocate Rs.100 million from the Treasury as the seed capital which will be refunded upon generating adequate funds into the Trust Fund.

Restrictions on Big onion imports

The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Minister Hon. Maithripala Sirisena on the production of big-onions during Yala season. Although it has been planned to cultivate big onions in 5381 ha. during the Yala season, this year, the land area under production is approximately 4905 ha. Production cost per a kilogram of big onion by the local farmers is about Rs. 18.00 to Rs.20.00, and for receiving a normal profit to the farmer, it is necessary to maintain a minimum price of Rs.30.00. Therefore the Cabinet has granted approval to impose restrictions on importing big onion during the period when local production is receiving the market, and to impose a custom duty/surcharge of Rs. 15.00 per kilo of big onions from September 1 to December 31, 2007.

Anusha Palpita
Director of Government Information