The water catchment areas in the Kelani River Basin are facing severe environmental problems due to severe degradation, sedimentation in the lower valleys, sand mining, changes in the land use patterns, urbanization, industrialization, pollution of water catchments, and deterioration of water quality.

Taking into consideration the above, it has been identified the necessity of preparing a management plan for the Kelani River Basin comprising of simple and detailed sub- water catchment management plan. There is a possibility to implement the aforementioned plan in collaboration with the related institutions and with the people of the water catchment areas to upgrade water catchment areas.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation to prepare and implement the aforementioned water catchment management plan for the Kelani River Basin within the Medium-Term Budget Framework by utilizing Rs. 250 million allocated under the program ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ during the year 2025 and 2026

The Education Modernization Project (GEM) has been implemented since 2018 with funding of US$ 100 million supplied by the World Bank.

All the project components identified under this project have been implemented and have achieved the expected results. It has been observed that there is the ability to obtain an additional financial facility of US$ 50 million from the funds remaining in other projects to implement several components identified under this project. These additional funds are expected to improve the digital infrastructure of the school relevant to the new educational reforms scheduled for implementation in 2026, enhance the sanitary facilities of the selected 900 schools across all provinces, appraise reformed subjects, and implement professional development programs for teachers.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the  Prime Minister in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education to reach a consensus with the World Bank to obtain the proposed additional financing.

Institutional care is provided to children who have lost both their parents or guardians or are under the guardianship of one or both parents but  there is no protection or security in the homes they are living in, as well as to orphaned and abandoned children in detention centers or child development centers.

It has been reported that there are about 9,191 children in the residential care of 356 children Development Centers that are maintained by the government, voluntary organizations, and non-governmental organizations throughout the country as at the end of 2024.

A provision of Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated by the budget for 2025 to provide a Rs. 5,000 /-allowance monthly for the children or street children who are in institutional care or guardianship.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs to appoint a monitoring committee chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, comprising officers from other relevant institutions for the necessary guidance and post-review activities to continue this program sustainably and effectively, and to provide the aforementioned allowance in the following manner.

• Out of the Rs. 5,000 allowance, Rs. 3,000/- will be made available through the National Savings Bank to the development center where  the child is  or the  guardian,  for the education, health, and other welfare expenses that should be provided by them through the National Savings Bank.

• The balance amount of Rs. 2000/- should be deposited monthly in a savings account in the child’s name at the National Savings Bank for his / her  future well-being.