The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the exploration and production of petroleum and natural gas in 04 exploration plots in the Mannar Basin, and to obtain the services of a suitable marketing consultant to implement an effective marketing program for that purpose.

[According to the exploration and mining conducted by Cairn Lanka (Private) Limited in 2011, two [02] natural gas deposits were discovered in the M2 exploration block of the Mannar Basin that confirmed the existence of a viable hydrocarbon system

In accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Resource Act No 21 of 2021, Sri Lanka Petroleum Development Authority has been vested the powers to call for investment proposals for the offshore petroleum and natural gas exploration plots in terms of the prescribed procedures of the regulations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers]

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to appoint a technical specialist committee chaired by Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda, Supreme Court Judge and President’s Advocate, to study and report on the introduction of a new law for the establishment of a Public Prosecutor’s Office office and to forward recommendations for the introduction of necessary amendments to the existing laws when required.

[The current election manifesto has proposed to introduce a Public Prosecutor’s Office as a mechanism to prevent delays in the judicial system, to establish an independent public prosecutor’s office outside the Attorney General’s Department to hear cases on behalf of the government, and to establish sub-offices in the provinces.

Thereby, it is expected to enhance the independence and the transparency of the criminal justice system and to expedite the criminal justice process so as to increase the reliability of the people. The final report that was presented by the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights on Sri Lanka in September 2024 had suggested that the establishment of an independent prosecutorial authority be considered as an urgent requirement]

As per the Section 53 (1) of the Public Financial Management Act No. 44 of 2024, the Minister in charge of Finance shall submit a statement of the financial performance of the Government, including revenue and expenditure, to the Cabinet not less than 45 days at the end of the quarter at least on a quarterly basis.  According to the aforementioned provisions, the statement of the financial performance for the quarter ending at 31-03-2025 shall be submitted to the Cabinet on or before 15-05-2025.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has considered the Statement of Government Financial Performance prepared for the first quarter in the year 2025 from 01-01-2025 to 31-03-2025 based on the classification stipulated in the 2025 annual budget estimates presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, including all specific expenditure units related to the first quarter including following cumulative income and expenditure reported by the special expenditure units , ministries, departments and district secretariats.
Income Rupees in Billion
01 Tax Income 970.58
02 Non-tax income 87.26
03 Capital income 5.77
04 Grant 1.05
Total Income 1,064.66

Expenditure Rupees in Billion
Recurrent Expenditure  1,226.55
Capital Expenditure (Including the repayment of public debt)  336.39
Total Expenditure 1,562.94