News
JAICA makes second donation of PPE to Western Province
The Colombo office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the solid waste management workers, currently engaged in work amidst Covid-19 pandemic, a press release issued by JICA said yesterday.
The Officials of the JICA Sri Lanka Office, handed over PPEs to Western Province at the Western Provincial Council with strict adherence to health guidelines and the COVID-19 preventive measures.
The grant included 634 pairs of boots, 31,700 masks, 430 Personal Protective Kits, hand sanitisers and disinfectants to be used to protect solid waste management workers in 49 local authorities engaged in work during Covid-19. This is JICA’s second provision of the PPE for continuous and stable waste management, especially in consideration of the prevailing situation after April.
Over the years, JICA has been extending technical support for solid waste management in Sri Lanka. Currently, under the ‘Project for Formulation of Western Province Solid Waste Management Master Plan’, JICA is working with National Solid Waste Management Support Centre in State Ministry of Provincial Council and Local Government and Waste Management Authority in the Western Province, relevant government agencies and local authorities, to formulate a long-term strategic plan for solid waste management in the Province. The Project is also helping Business Continuity Plan (BCP) of local authorities under emergency situations. This grant will enable local authorities to continue their essential work during the pandemic.
Chief Representative, JICA Sri Lanka Office Yamada Tetsuya, handed over PPEs to, Governor of the Western Province Marshal of the Air Force(retd) Roshan Goonetileke.
Yamada said that solid waste management is an essential service for the community. Therefore, it is vital to pay attention towards the personal hygiene of the solid waste management workers as well as assisting them in maintaining a healthy work environment to protect themselves and the entire community. JICA will work with various stakeholders and partners to overcome the pandemic and its various negative effects as quickly as possible.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
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