The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to join the Committee Stage debate on the allocations for Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. This Ministry plays a crucial role in national administration. Many administrative issues have remained unresolved for years. These are not problems that arose after you came to power; they have persisted across districts and divisions over time. It is not right to let them continue merely because past administrations failed to resolve them. People placed their trust in you. I therefore request the Hon. Minister, Hon. Deputy Minister, the Secretary, and officials to take necessary action to resolve them.

¶ 02 In Batticaloa District, the Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat still has no defined boundaries. A Panambalana Commission was appointed nationally and made recommendations. Based on those, many local issues elsewhere have been resolved, but the Central Divisional Secretariat functions only at a divisional council level. Therefore, as per that Commission’s recommendations, please take the required measures. Likewise, in Batticaloa there are several DS divisions whose boundaries remain undefined. Due to war-related disruptions, administrative matters are handled in one DS while land matters are handled by another. Kindly appoint a special committee through your Ministry to find a permanent solution.

¶ 03 I would also like to bring to the Hon. Minister’s attention that, as per Budget 2025, serving government employees will receive a salary increase, and Rs. 7,500 in allowances will be added to the basic salary. A proposal was also submitted to revise pensions of those who retired between 1996 and 31.12.2019. However, those who retired after 01 January 2020 and up to 31 March 2025 were overlooked. Given current economic conditions and the rising cost of living, these pensioners are struggling. Please consider the letter from the Oddamavadi Pensioners’ Association, which I will submit, and favourably address their request.

¶ 04 Thank you.