(Colombo-Lankapuvath)
1. Cabinet takes measures to ensure procurement of Pharmaceuticals to hospitals on time –
On a recommendation by the Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena the cabinet decided to introduce a systematic procurement process to ensure timely delivery of medical supplies to hospitals in the country
o A Cabinet Sub- Committee headed by Senior Minister Prof Tissa Vitharana has already been appointed by the Cabinet to make recommendations on the procurement and supply process relating to pharmaceuticals, so as to. ensure a smooth supply of pharmaceuticals in. adequate quantities to Government hospitals:
o A Procurement Planning Committee consisting of officials has also been appointed to assist this Sub-Committee. Cabinet of Ministers granted approval in principle to the proposal made by Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Health, to implement the Recommendations made by this Cabinet Sub-Committee.
o Arrangements are to be made for the distribution of drugs required by hospitals, through the network of 27 sales outlets in the country, belonging to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
2. A Govt owned company to be formed for the development of Poultry Sector
· On a proposal made by Mr. Arumugam Thondaman, Minister of Livestock and Rural Community Development, the Cabinet decided to form a fully government owned company, named as Sri Lanka Poultry Development Company (Pvt.) Ltd., for the sole purpose of supporting the poultry industry in the
· The National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) will purchase 49% of the shares of LANLIB which is a Joint Venture between a company in Libya and the NLDB, for the formation of this company
3. Euro 21 million from Netherlands to Upgrade Peripheral Blood Banks
· The National Blood Transfusion Service provides blood to all government hospitals and the majority of private sector hospitals in the country. It has 15 clusters and 60 hospital based blood banks.
· The proposed project aims to develop infrastructure facilities and provide urgently needed equipment for 19 peripheral centres and essential equipment for the blood banks in the country.
· The proposal made by Mr Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Health, on the recommendation of the Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee, to award the above contract to a company in Netherlands at a cost of Euro 2.1,237,254.00, was approved by the Cabinet.
4. A Flyover to be constructed at Veyangoda Railway Crossing
· The Cabinet approved a proposal by the President, as the Minister of Finance and Planning, to enter into a loan agreement with a Bank in Spain for financial assistance for the construction of flyover at the Veyangoda railway crossing.
· Veyangoda is a major town in the Gampaha District and it provides access to the Katunayake International Airport and the Free Trade Zone.
· The main railway lines to the upcountry as well as to the Northern and Eastern Provinces pass through Veyangoda.
· Construction of the flyover at Veyangoda will help to overcome the traffic congestion due to the closing of rail gates at frequent intervals.
5. Project for the Improvement of Basic Social Services in Developing Regions –
· The Japanese Government has agreed to provide a loan of Japanese Yen 3935 million (approximate Rs.5509 million) through JICA for the Project for Improvement of Basic Social Services in Developing Regions in the country
· The following are to be implemented under this project:
· Expansion of the production capacity of the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation –
four new manufacturing machines along with other processing machinery are to be installed to enhance the production of tablets up to 4000 million per annum to meet the requirement of the government.
· Strengthening of Secondary Hospitals and providing modern and quality care services –
Selected secondary hospitals in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, North Western and North Central Province are to be upgraded with the required facilities to function as core hospitals in the region.
· In addition, 124 Ambulances are to be provided to hospitals in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, North Western, North Central, UVa, Eastern and Northern Provinces.
· The proposal made by the President. in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and planning to enter into a loan agreement for the purpose with JICA, was approved by the Cabinet.
6. Japan Grants Rs 70 M for Improvement of .Japanese Language Learning at Kelaniya and Sabaragamuwa Universities
· The Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance in a sum of Japanese Yen 48,400,000 (Approximately Rs.70,180,000) through JICA, for the purpose of the Improvement of .Japanese Language Learning in the Sri Lankan Universities.
· The main objective of the project is to develop essential infrastructure facilities at these Universities so as to produce professionally competent graduates to cope with the emerging needs of the country.
· The proposal made by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning, to enter into a grant agreement with JICA for the above purpose, was approved by the Cabinet.
7. Japan Grants Rs 420 M Aid for Provision of Industrial Products –
· The Government of Japan has agreed to provide a grant assistance in a sum of Japanese Yen 300 million (Approximately Rs.420 million) through JICA to procure Industrial Equipment produced in Japan, to promote economy and social development in Sri Lanka.
· The grant assistance will be utilized for the procurement of the following:
· Medical Equipment - will be provided to Teaching Hospitals, Secondary Hospitals and Medical Research Institutes, to improve existing facilities.
· Water Purification Equipment - will be used to provide safe drinking water to the people living in areas where there is a scarcity for water and areas affected by disasters.
· Excavators - will be provided for provincial and rural "road development activities.
· The above proposal made by President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning, to enter into a grant agreement with JICA, was approved by the Cabinet.
8. Rs 982 M grant from JICA for Rehabilitation of Kilinochchi Water. Supply Scheme
The Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance in a sum of Japanese Yen 677 million (Approximately Rs.982 million) through JICA for rehabilitation activities of the Kilinochchi Water Supply Scheme.
· The main objective of the project is to reduce waterborne deceases and uplift the health standards of the people in the Kilinochchi District, by improving water purification facilities in the area and restoring operational activities of the existing water supply scheme in the District which was damaged during the conflict period.
· Under this project, it is expected to construct a new water intake, a raw water transmission. line from the intake, a water treatment plant and two water towers at Kilinochchi and Paranthan.
· A distribution pipeline covering approximately 42 km, will be constructed to distribute water to Paranthan and Iranamadu, benefiting over 20,000 people living in 14 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Kilinochchi District.
· The proposal made by President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning, to enter into a grant agreement with JICA, was approved by the Cabinet.
(Colombo-Lakapuvath)In a new boost to Sri Lanka’s geo-textile industry and Sri Lanka’s standing as world’s largest exporter of coir fibre, a top US government agency has cleared the way for Sri Lankan made geo-textiles for two projects. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has waived its restrictions on use of foreign coir mats in US for Sri Lankan mats. The general restrictions for foreign coir mats have been imposed under the ‘Buy American requirements’ but US has specifically allowed Sri Lankan mats for two selected projects.
(Colombo Lankapuvath) The fifth Sri Lanka Model United Nations conference is set to take place from 5th-7th of August, 2012 at Water’s Edge Colombo.
(Colombo-Lankapuvath)
(Colombo-Lankapuvath)Cabinet has approved a proposal by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to construct a Fly Over at the Veyangoda railway crossing ,Acting Cabinet Spokesman and Acting Media Minister, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene told the weekly cabinet briefing this morning.
(Colombo-Lankapuvath) Twenty two Senior Superintendents of Police had been promoted to Deputy Inspectors General of Police , said Police Headquarters.
(Colombo-Lankapuvath) The land where blue gems emerged at Thammannawa in Katharagama will be on public auction tomorrow (24), said the President of National Gem and Jewelry Authority, Prasad Galhena.
