'Tele-City'
in Hambantota
Minister of Mass Media and Information, Anura Priyadarshana
YapaCabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by
Minister of Mass Media and Information, Anura Priyadarshana
Yapa to take over the 'Kirindi Oya' farm land adjoined to
Jambugaswewa, Joolpallama in Tissamaharama Divisional Secretary's
division of Hambantota to set up a "Tele City".
In order to minimize the number of imported Tele dramas,
film and commercial programmes for the amelioration of the
field of Tele-drams and films in Sri Lanka, a levy on foreign
Tele-drams, films and commercial programmes was introduced
by the Government in 2006.
Accordingly an extent of 100 acres from the above land was
transferred to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information
in order to launch Phase 1 of the above project.
Public
Sector Capacity Building Project
ImageCabinet has granted approval to a memorandum submitted
by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister
of Finance and Planning to enter into a financing agreement
with the International Development Association (IDA) of
the World Bank to borrow Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 13.8
million as per the terms for the implementation of the Public
Sector Capacity Building Project.
The loan negotiations have been concluded with the World
Bank to obtain credit of SDR 13.8 million (approximately
Rs.2.5 billion) form the International Development Association
(IDA) for the Public Sector Capacity Building Project.
The development objective of this project is to enhance
the effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of the Development
of Census and Statistics and the Department of the Auditor
General.
The IDA loan is interest-free but subject to a maximum Commitment
Charge of one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) per annum
payable on the un-withdrawn financina balance and a Service
Charge of three-fourths of one percent (3/4 of 1%) per annum
payable on the withdrawn credit balance. The credit is repayable
in 20 years with a grace period 10 years.
Implementation of a rural solar energy electrification project
ImageCabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted
by the Minister of Power and Energy, W.D.J. Seneviratne
to select Galgamuwa Village in the Madulla Division, Monaragala
District for the implementation of a rural electrification
solar project implemented by the Government of Sri Lanka
and to authorize and direct the Chairman of the Sustainable
Energy Authority (SEA) and other relevant officials to provide
a suitable land parcel free of cost and free from encumbrances
immediately for the implementation of this project.
Implementation of projects on energy security was one of
the commitments made by Heads of State during the 14th SAARC
Summit in April 2008. To fulfill this commitment, the Government
of India in consultation with the Ministry of Power and
Energy has agreed to implement a solar energy electrification
project in a rural area in Sri Lanka to provide electricity
for about 300 households and 50 streetlights.
Cabinet approval was also granted to exempt customs duties,
levying of taxes, of all goods and material and equipments
imported for the project.
The technical inputs will be provided by the Ceylon Electricity
Board for this project free of charge.
Accordingly a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed
between the Government of India and Government of Sri Lanka
regarding this project.
Infrastructure
facilities to the University of Ruhuna
ImageCabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted
by Minister of Higher Education Wiswa Warnapala to permit
the University of Ruhuna to award the completion of the
balance work of the Examination Hall and Auditorium of
the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at a total
cost estimate of Rs. 72 million to the State Engineering
Corporation.
The award is granted on a 'Design and Build' basis, on
rates approved by the Standing Technical Committee of
the Ministry of Construction and Engineering Services
in order to implement the project in year 2008.
The student population in the Faculty of Humanities and
Social Science has doubled during the past two years,
but required facilities have not been enhanced accordingly
and the completion of these buildings is expected correct
this mismatch.
Provisions for renovation of the Batticaloa Municipal
Council Office and Quarters Complex
ImageCabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted
by Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils,
Janaka Bandara Tennakoon to submit to Parliament a supplementary
estimate under the Ministry of Local Government and Provincils
in order to provide a total sum of Rs. 120 million of
which Rs. 50 million for urgent renovation and Rs. 70
million for the entire renovation of the Batticaloa Municipal
Council building and quarters complex.
The Municipal Commissioner of the Batticoloa Municipal
Council has reported that the building complex is now
in a dilapidated state with damaged internal roads due
to terrorist attacks during the time the security forces
took them over due to security concerns.
The Municipal Council is now functioning in a rented building
belonging to the Batticaloa Divisional Secretariat.
National Highways Sector Project and upgrading of Kandy-
Mahiyangana- Padiyatalawa Road
ImageCabinet
has granted approval to a memorandum submitted by Minister
of Highways and Road Development T.B.Ekanayaka to award
the contract for the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of the
Kandy-Mahiyanganaya-Padiyatalawa road (A-026) from Udatenna
to Mahiyangana to Keangnam Enterproses Ltd for a contract
sum of Rs.4,754,613 (without VAT).
The Government has received a loan of US $ 150 million
form the Asian Development Bank (ADB) towards the cost
of highway upgrading which includes rehabilitation and
upgrading of about 223 kms of roads.
The Project is to be implemented under National Highways
Sector Project of Road Development Authority, Ministry
of Highways and Road Development.
Anusha Palpita
Director of Government Information
Courtesy
- Government Information