• - Following are several decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers made during the meeting held on 7 July

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted permission for the Sri Lanka Navy to conduct maritime security operations, the Government said yesterday. 

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) declared the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Somali Sea, a high-risk zone in 2010 due to the pirate activities that had to be endured by merchant ships engaged in international maritime traffic. As a remedial measure for these threats, merchant ships obtained the services of armed maritime guards from foreign private maritime security companies. Even though the IMO has declared that the said high-risk zone has been removed from 1 January 2023, commercial ships have continued obtaining the services of armed maritime guards from foreign private maritime security companies. The Galle and Colombo Ports are primarily used to embark armed maritime guards onto ships entering the aforementioned high-risk zone and to disembark armed maritime guards deployed to protect departing ships. 

On certain occasions, such maritime security operations are also carried out in the Hambantota and Trincomalee Ports. When carrying out the operational activities of the project, the Navy has been entrusted with the overall responsibility for national security. Therefore, considering the knowledge and experience of the Navy in relation to maritime security operations, it has been deemed appropriate to grant approval for the Navy to independently carry out these operations. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, to conduct maritime security operations by the Navy under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence.

Progress of large-scale development projects

The performance report on the large-scale development projects is submitted by the Department of Project Management and Monitoring after reviewing the performance data and information submitted by the relevant ministries on the financial and physical progress of the large-scale development projects implemented by the line ministries at the end of the first quarter of this year. According to the aforementioned report, 205 large-scale development projects are being implemented with the 21 newly added projects. It is expected to complete 145 projects in 2025, including 74 projects due to be completed before the end of the first quarter of 2025, and 24 projects next year (in 2026), 19 projects in 2027, and nine projects in 2028. Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to take steps by all ministries and the relevant authorities for the completion of the said projects during the target periods.

Cooperation on crime fighting between SL and the Maldives

Many difficulties have to be encountered in engaging in combined investigations due to the lack of an agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Therefore, although approval has been granted at a Cabinet meeting in September 2022 to enter into an agreement between both the countries, the agreement is yet to be signed. The consensus has been provided by the Maldivian Government, and the clearance from the Attorney General has been obtained for this agreement. Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to sign the agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

MoU between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the SL Police

It has been agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Sri Lanka Police by the two parties. It is expected to prevent international organised crimes, exchange information related to suspects and crimes, obtain assistance for consolidated operations and technical matters. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism has given their concurrence for the proposed MoU. Accordingly, the Cabinet granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security to enter into the aforementioned bilateral MOU.

Project to maintain reservoirs/waterways within the Western Province

There are many canals in Northern Colombo and the highly-dense Colombo City area that are not maintained by any state institution. Therefore, it has been planned to inaugurate a project under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme in order to clean and maintain those secondary channels that are not maintained and to increase the number of cleaning rounds of the main channel. Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal furnished by the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing to implement the proposed project by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation with the following objectives under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka Programme’: Flood control to prevent submerging the Colombo City with rainwater and to minimise public suppression; Maintaining a clean, favourable and hygienic environment; Upgrading the health and living standards of the public; Increase tourist attraction to the City; and Upgrading the water standards of inland waterways and water-containing tanks.

Repealing the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996

The Cabinet granted approval in December of last year (2024) to introducing a new Act repealing the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 as amended, and to appoint a committee to submit a fundamental draft with necessary amendments by examining the fundamental draft prepared for that. Accordingly, the relevant committee has prepared a revised draft including appropriate amendments. Therefore, the Cabinet approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Oceanic Resources to direct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a new draft Bill based on the said revised fundamental draft.