Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2021-05-03

National Regulatory Framework for the vessels engaged in coastal trading activities

- It has been identified the necessity of having a National Regulatory Framework for commercial coastal vessels due to the increase of passenger and cargo transportation by ships with the development of tourism related activities. Accordingly, the Export Development Board and the then Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade in collaboration with he Ministry of Port and Shipping have initiated a project for developing such regulatory framework and the assistance of the Lloyd's Register Asia has been obtained for the same. As such, 04 regulations have been drafted in consultation with all related parties. In terms of the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act No.52 of 1972, authority of promulgating said regulations have been entrusted with Minister in charge of subject of shipping. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Ports and Shipping to publish draft regulations in the Government Gazette upon the receipt of the concurrence of the Legal Draftsman and to present the same thereafter in Parliament, was approved by the Cabinet.