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Summary of the cabinet decisions
3.1.2008

Introduction of new trade crops
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Hon. Maithripala Sirisena on the project for introducing new trade crops. Provision of Rs. 3.0 million has been allocated for this project. The main objective of this project is to improve the living standard of Mahaweil farmers through introducing certain commercial agricultural crops in addition to the traditional agriculture in which they are already engaged. Accordingly crop varieties such as dragon fruit, grapes and jatropa with commercial value having higher demand in both the local and foreign markets will be introduced and the project is to be implemented getting the involvement of the Mahaweli Authority, Department of Agriculture, Agrarian Development Department and the private sector. In the implementation of this project necessary instruction on holding cultivation demonstrations, establishment of nurseries and free distribution of seeds, planting materials and similar inputs for selected farmers will be provided through officials of the relevant departments.

SEC land to be developed
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Construction and Engineering Services Minister Hon. Dr. Rajitha Senaratne on the development of a part of land at Peliyagoda belonging to State Engineering Corporation (SEC). SEC owns 28 acres of land here. The main stores, central workshops, concrete batching plant are located on part of this land. Earlier, it was decided by the Cabinet to sell a 4-acre land to Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited at a price of Rs.1.7 million per perch in order to overcome the liquidity crisis of the SEC. However, with the formation of the new Ministry of Construction and Engineering Services it was felt that a better option to tide over the liquidity crisis would be to make a concerted effort to collect the over dues and to plan a more integrated development of this land as joint ventures with the SEC rather than outright sale of the land. The Ministry has prepared a conceptual plan of joint ventures. Accordingly Star-class city hotel, service apartments, mega shopping complex, hospital with school of nursing, container parking and a training center for youth to secure employment in foreign countries will be constructed.

Web Offset Printing Machine for ANCL
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Mass Media and Information Minister Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa on the supply and installation of commercial web offset printing machine for the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL). With the intention of expanding the capacity of printing of the ANCL, it has been decided to purchase a commercial web offset printing machine. Financial provisions required for the purpose is to be met through the available funds of the institution and credits from the bank. The Cabinet appointed Procurement Committee having agreed with the Technical Evaluation Committee has recommended the procuring of relevant machine from the Goss International Corporation.


Anusha Palpita
Director of Government Information


Courtesy - Government Information