The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, in today’s Committee Stage Debate, I wish to seek justice from this august House regarding administrative overreach and curtailment of powers faced by a community subjected to injustice for 30 years — specifically, the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat (DSD). For three decades, the administrative powers due to that DSD and its people have been denied. Why?

¶ 02 Successive governments have imposed barriers and injustices on the Kalmunai North DSD. I ask the present NPP Government and the responsible Minister: what will you do to restore administrative justice to Kalmunai North? In 1993, Cabinet approval was granted — Cabinet Papers 93/600/34 and 93/600/34(1) — upgrading Kalmunai North to a DSD. Yet, to date, its powers are withheld. It comprises 29 Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions, as does the Kalmunai South DSD. I believe the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration is also present. Please consider this.

¶ 03 How can a Cabinet-approved DSD be merged or linked with Kalmunai South or any other entity? What is the legal basis? A DSD created by Cabinet decision cannot be amalgamated by a Minister, President, or Secretary without revoking that decision. Linking it with another DSD appears aimed at curtailing the powers of Kalmunai North.

¶ 04 In meetings of the Ministry of Public Administration and the Sectoral Oversight Committee, I was told there are three Supreme Court writ cases from 2018, but nowhere has the Court said not to administer or to halt administration. Before 2018, the Ministry website listed it as a DSD; after 2020, it is shown as a sub-DSD. Who authorised this change? On what basis, and under whose authority — GA or Ministry Secretary? Such changes are not permissible by law. Is this government continuing the past pattern of unlawful acts to facilitate land grabs?

¶ 05 You said a committee would be appointed by the Divisional Secretary and the Governor/President to study and report. But that has not been done. Are you going to act like previous governments? We come to this Government seeking justice.

¶ 06 I also table concerns raised by people and organisations in the area:

¶ 07 - Prevent the illegal creation and expansion of “Islamabad” (KP/S9/A) as a GN division within Kalmunai North DSD boundaries. Initially a name used for a tsunami housing scheme in Kalmunai 1 GN, it is now expanding into Kalmunai 16, Kalmunai 1, 2, 2A, and 3 GN divisions under Kalmunai North. Complaints to relevant authorities have yielded no action; instead, some officials aid land alienation and illegal activities. - The Survey Department has allegedly included this illegal “Islamabad” GN in maps and is expanding it without consulting Kalmunai North DSD or the relevant GNs, violating procedures. There are allegations that a senior official formerly over Ampara District, now over the Eastern Province, is behind this. Immediate cessation is requested and coordination with RDA, Agriculture, and relevant agencies to regularise actions lawfully.

¶ 08 Hon. Chairman, please grant one more minute. These actions undermine Kalmunai North’s lawful boundaries and must be stopped.