The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I welcome the Adjournment Motion moved by the Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance, Hon. Mano Ganesan. I must state something on the Norwood Divisional Secretariat. This did not start yesterday. During “Good Governance” there was a plan to increase Divisional Secretariats not only in Nuwara Eliya but also in Galle. A decision was taken. Later, when former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assumed office with a large majority, that move was effectively shelved. For almost three years we struggled. Only after I entered the Cabinet could we implement that decision—yet even then we could only secure sub-offices. In 2020, we were told Galle would get it; three years later, as a substitute, we managed to establish sub-offices at Talawakele and Norwood.

¶ 02 Today, due to the self-interest of a few officials, there is an attempt to relocate the Norwood Divisional Secretariat above the Hatton Railway Station. No views were sought from the people there, nor from civil society, nor from Members of Parliament. This is very wrong. Nearly 200,000 people live in the Norwood area. People from Maskeliya, Polwaththa, Abbot, Ambagamuwa used to travel repeatedly to DS offices; now they can access Norwood. For the difficulty of a handful, are we to burden two hundred thousand? That is what is happening. You too must reflect. The youth voted expecting change; teachers and youth are struggling; despite promised pay rises some are dissatisfied. We are increasing the burden on the people, not reducing it.

¶ 03 On this DS matter, there is no party divide among us. I believe there are government members here representing the highlands, though I do not see them. Ask them. On other issues there may be two faces, but on this, it is crucial. We ask for a solution without party differences: do not move the DS to Hatton; strengthen it in Norwood. This is our humble request; the people expect it. Thank you.