The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to participate in the Committee Stage Debate on the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. This Ministry is closely connected to public servants and the people and must take services to the people through Grama Niladharis and Development Officers. Yet people run daily to obtain services because of shortages of village officers and the inability to meet them on time. In Vavuniya, of 102 GN divisions, there are 26 vacancies, forcing some officers to cover two or three divisions, making it hard for the elderly and the sick to meet them. Also, on Mondays and Wednesdays, people cannot meet GNs due to meetings at the Divisional Secretariats. Please arrange so people can meet GNs at any time and obtain services.

¶ 02 For the 102 GN divisions, people travel far to Vavuniya Divisional Secretariat. In 1988, a sub-office was started at Poovarasankulam but was closed in 1990. People there still suffer. Please re-establish such a sub-office at Poovarasankulam.

¶ 03 There are many institutions under Provincial Councils. With numerous Local Authorities, more powers and funds must be provided to Provinces. Local Authorities — Pradeshiya Sabhas, Urban Councils, Municipal Councils — are like small governments. Services not obtainable from the Centre should be available via Provinces and Local Authorities, utilizing local resources fully. Yet they fail in duties such as house numbering and naming streets. Reasons cited include lack of officers, valuation officers, and inability to levy taxes. These must be addressed so Local Authorities can meet people’s needs. I conclude. Thank you.