The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak in the Committee Stage Debate on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

¶ 02 Hon. Minister, among the 25 districts, Mullaitivu is one of the most backward, often ranking first or second in poverty. Mullaitivu has six Divisional Secretariats and 136 GN divisions, yet only four Pradeshiya Sabhas. Two DS divisions with larger populations and lands are combined into one PS, adversely affecting people in those DS areas. Specifically, Vavunikulam and Oddusuddan DS divisions are combined into the Puthukudiyiruppu PS. From the time the Northern Provincial Council functioned, people and representatives have requested redress, yet no solution has come. As the people’s representative, I ask you to resolve it.

¶ 03 On cadre: under your Ministry, the Mullaitivu District Secretariat and DS offices have many needs and shortages. If resolved, many district issues would be solved. There are vacancies in executive grades as well. Specifically: Administrative Service 2 (two?), Administrative Service 3, Planning Service 6, Engineering Service 1, Management Assistant 91, Technical Officer 6, IT Officer 6, Driver 6, Office Assistants 17 — totalling 140 vacancies. Despite this, the District and DS offices function, but with great difficulty. Across districts, administration must deliver services smoothly and properly; this is crucial for a highly backward district.

¶ 04 Many officers serving there are from Jaffna and have served for over 10 years, doing their best under shortages, and I appreciate them. Please address these deficits, including strengthening the District Secretary’s office.

¶ 05 Phase 1 of the Mullaitivu District Secretariat building was completed in 2014 — 10 years have passed — but Phase 2 has not commenced. Due to lack of space, officers face great inconvenience. Please resolve these issues under your administration.

¶ 06 Hon. Presiding Member, time is over.

¶ 07 Please give me one more minute. The neglect of this district is partly due to the country’s administration. Do not neglect us. Consider all 25 districts as your 25 children and treat them equally. We have confidence in your actions; please resolve these issues and normalize conditions. Similar shortages exist in Vavuniya and Mannar too. Do not sideline us; resolve these deficiencies. Thank you.