The government has decided to sign the undertaking concerning recognition of certificates issued to seafarers between Sri Lanka and Japan, Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said yesterday.

He told the Cabinet press briefing in Colombo, that the decision was approved by the Cabinet, on a Memorandum submitted by Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa.

"The Director General of Merchant Shipping at the Ports and Aviation Ministry, has been empowered to sign the Undertaking for the recognition of national certificates and is made in accordance with the terms of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping For Seafarers. It is made without prejudice to the existing laws and regulations in force."

The undertaking, binds both parties from the date of execution and shall remain in force for a period of five years. Either party shall terminate the undertaking at any time, by giving written notice of at least 12 months. If no notice of termination is given, the undertaking will be automatically extended for successive periods of five years, Yapa said.

The Cabinet of Ministers, he said also approved a proposal by the Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, to award the Consulting Services contract for the Township Development Component of the Greater Colombo Urban Transport Development Project (Outer Circular Highway) to Oriental Consultants Limited of Japan and their local associate Greentech Consultants (Pvt) Limited.