The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna – Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government
The Minister answered Question 291/2024 on the “Majma Nagar” Cemetery in Batticaloa, stating that the 10-acre State land is under the Koralaipattu West (Oddamavadi) Pradeshiya Sabha, with a request submitted to vest it formally in the Sabha and acquisition steps to follow. He said no Central Government funds were allocated for its development, while maintenance was met from Pradeshiya Sabha funds and private donations supported burials, construction materials, a multipurpose building, fencing, electricity, and machinery use. He also noted that 3,634 bodies were buried there between 5 March 2021 and 5 March 2022.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, in answer to Question 291/2024 regarding the “Majma Nagar” Cemetery, Batticaloa:
¶ 02 (a) (i) Koralaipattu West (Oddamavadi) Pradeshiya Sabha. (ii) 10 acres. (iii) Yes, State land. (iv) The Koralaipattu West Divisional Secretary has submitted, with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Local Government, Eastern Province, a request to vest the land in the Koralaipattu West Pradeshiya Sabha; steps will be taken to acquire in due course. (v) No.
¶ 03 (b) (i) No Central Government funds were allocated for development. Maintenance is done from PS funds. From 05.03.2021 to 05.03.2022, 3,634 bodies were buried. Private donations received for burials amounted to Rs. 3,427,500. The NIDA Foundation (Rajarigiriya, Colombo) donated 2,350 nos. of 10mm deformed bars, 25 nos. of 12mm bars, and 75 kg binding wire for perimeter wall construction. (ii) A multipurpose building for visitors was constructed from private donations by Jawahir Hajiar (China Fort, Beruwala). An elephant fence and electricity supply around the cemetery were funded by Mr. Afzal Maraikkar of Colombo. The Kandy Mosque Federation provided a JCB for excavation, but as it was unsuitable for deep excavation it was withdrawn; thereafter the PS JCB and other machinery were used.
¶ 04 (c) Not applicable.
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- Hansard, Thursday, 27 February 2025 ·No. 1741437399068186 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna – Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 27 February 2025. No. 1741437399068186. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/13208