The Cabinet, has approved the award of eleven contracts, to rehabilitate the A32 Mannar-Pooneryn road, Non Cabinet Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, said.

He told the cabinet press briefing in Colombo, that the contracts would be awarded to rehabilitate four kilometer sections of the A32, on a proposal submitted by Highways and Road Development Minister T.B.Ekanayake.

"In addition NEM Construction Private Limited is engaged in road reconstruction in the North Central Province. Southern Group Civil Construction Private Limited, has commenced work in the Northern Province."

The cabinet of ministers, Yapa said, also approved a proposal by Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma

to examine the possibility of changing the mode of collecting luxury and semi luxury vehicle taxes.

Accordingly, a committee headed by a senior Treasury representative, comprising officials from the Public Administration, Home Affairs Ministry and the Motor Traffic Department, will examine the possibility of collecting vehicle taxes through the Divisional Secretaries, instead of Private Sector Insurance Companies as at present, he said.