The Government is to implement a three-year maternal and early childhood nutrition project in four districts with a US$2.73 million grant from the World Bank Group’s Japan Social Development Fund, it was announced at yesterday’s (11) Cabinet briefing.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the implementation of the project in Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts.
The project will focus on expanding access to selected community-based nutrition interventions for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children below five years of age.
The initiative is expected to strengthen nutrition services at community level and improve access to support for mothers and young children in the four districts.
The project will be implemented over a period of three years using the grant provided through the Japan Social Development Fund of the World Bank Group.
Three new fuel tanks for Muthurajawela
The Government has approved the awarding of a contract to construct three new fuel storage tanks at the Muthurajawela Terminal, with a combined capacity of 40,000 cubic metres, it was announced at yesterday’s (11) Cabinet briefing.
The project involves the construction of two 15,000-cubic-metre tanks and one 10,000-cubic-metre tank using funds from Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL).
Cabinet approval had previously been granted on 2 June 2025 for the project. However, at its meeting on 20 July, Cabinet directed the Ministers of Energy and Environment to consult relevant parties and determine the procedures required to meet the environmental, legal and other requirements before implementation.
The Ministers subsequently informed Cabinet that the recommendations and conditions stipulated by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) had been incorporated into the procurement contract.
They also confirmed that the project would be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.
Following these assurances, Cabinet approved the proposal to award the construction contract to the selected companies under the international competitive bidding procedure.
Fishermen’s pension benefits to be increased
The Government is to amend the Fishermen’s Pension and Social Security Benefits Scheme Act No. 23 of 1990 to increase benefits linked to pension contributions and strengthen social security for fishermen, it was announced at yesterday’s (11) Cabinet briefing.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill to amend the Act, based on recommendations made by a committee appointed to review the existing provisions.
The proposed amendments are aimed at enhancing the benefits received by fishermen in relation to their pension contributions and providing greater social security protection as they grow older.
The move is intended to strengthen the existing pension and social security framework for fishermen and provide improved financial support during their later years.