Cabinet Decisions 02.08.2021

1. Institutional partnership agreement between BCS – Information Technology Chartered Institute and General Sir John Kothalawala Defence University.

It has been proposed to sign an agreement of institutional partnership in between and BCS – Information Technology Chartered Institute. Previously named as British Computer Society (BCS), the BCS – Information Technology Chartered Institute registers individuals with qualifications and experience in computer technology as professional members.

The BCS – Information Technology Chartered Institute has expressed their concern to issue an unidentical licence to General Sir John Kothalawala Defence University for engaging in the activities related to evaluation of individuals applying to obtain the membership of the that institution. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the President as the Minister of Defence to sign an agreement of institutional membership for acting accordingly.

2. Providing a plot of land from Millewa, Horana area to Sri Lanka State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) on lease basis.

The State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) has made a request from the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to allocate a plot of land for expanding its production across installation of five (05) production facilities since the prevailing premises within the Corporation are insufficient to increase capacity of the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC). Accordingly, the concurrence of the Management Board of the Urban Development Authority has been granted to allocate a plot of land in extent 65 acres and 17.66 perch out of the land extent of 732 acres acquired from Millewa area for Horana Industrial City Development Project.

Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution submitted by the Prime Minister as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing for transferring the relevant plot of land to State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) on long term lease basis.

3. Entering into an agreement between the University of Colombo and the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom for a research project for investigating the global spectrum on science and religion.

The University of Colombo has been elected as a stakeholder in the research project called ‘investigating the global spectrum on science and religion’ carried out under the financial allocations of the religious fund called ‘Templeton Religious Trust’, with the objective of developing a broad discussion / dialogue between the professional scientists and mere public on the relationship of science, evolution and the religion, and investigating the historic, cultural as well as the socio – cultural factors that lead to common opinions regarding them. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Education to enter into a combined agreement with the University of Birmingham of the United Kingdom who serves as the major  stakeholder for the implementation of the research project.

4. Joint agreement between University of Ruhuna, University of Jaffna, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency and the Arctic University of Norway

The University of Norway is implementing a project called “Network for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquaculture Innovation” under the financial support of Norwegian Partnership Programme for Global Academic Cooperation. The University of Ruhuna, the University of Jaffna and National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) have been identified as local representatives in the project.

Accordingly, it is proposed that these institutions enter into an agreement with the Arctic University of Norway to implement the project. Under that agreement, the Cooperative Partnership between the Arctic University of Norway and the local institutions is expected to benefit both parties by implementing scholarship programs,conducting student-staff exchange programs, and promoting international understanding. Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Education to enter into the relevant agreement.

5. Commemoration of the National Logistic Day

The efficient and effective management of all the supplies in a country is called logistics. If the relevant process is not properly managed, problems such as rising commodity prices and consequent difficulty in controlling the cost of living will arise. Therefore, it seems appropriate to declare a National Logistic Day for the purpose of educating the public about the related process. Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport to declare August 16th as the Logistic day of every year from this year and t6 issue a commemorative stamp marking that day this year.

6. Establishment of a National Radio Channel for Primary, Secondary, Higher Education and Tertiary Education.

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Mass Media and Information have planned to establish an island – wide radio education channel to address the educational disparities caused by the covid-19 pandemic.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution submitted by the Minister of Education and Minister of Mass Media to utilize a Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation channel to broadcast educational programmes among the existing channels that possible to expedite the establishment of a radio channel dedicated to education as it will take some time to fullfill the necessary infrastructure.