The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, in this Debate on allocations for Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, I wish to raise issues regarding the Grama Niladhari service — the backbone of the State machinery from GN to AGA, GA, all the way to Parliament and the Presidency.

¶ 02 During good governance, four DSDs and four PSs were initiated in Nuwara Eliya; two DSDs are functioning — notably Norwood DSD. The Ambagamuwa PS was split into two and Norwood PS was created. Nuwara Eliya District has five DSDs and four PSs. The Norwood DSD covers about 225,000 people; population density is 510 per sq. km; 35 GN divisions; about 104,656 voters; 89% are plantation community. Yet, its office lacks proper buildings and staff. Required staff is around 80; only 35 serve. How can the office function? This has been raised in Parliament and at the Nuwara Eliya District Development Committee, but no solution has been provided.

¶ 03 On GN boundaries and development: in Kataragama, there is roughly one DSD for 15,000 people with about 12 GNs. But in Norwood’s Kirkoswald GN, one GN covers 12,000 people. This is grossly unfair. We fought to split such GNs, but unless more GNs are appointed, people cannot get certificates and services because everything requires going through the GN. Where 80 GNs are needed, only 35 exist. Please intervene to fill cadres.

¶ 04 Talawakelle was also split recently, but without buildings and adequate GNs it cannot function. There are 34 GNs and a population of 104,656; still only 34 GNs exist whereas 80 are needed.

¶ 05 Management Assistants are critical; they are on the 1411-02 scale. Please increase their salaries. Many graduates remain unemployed; appoint them as Management Assistants and GNs to meet community needs.

¶ 06 We also decided then to create two DSDs in Walapane: one central to the area, and another covering predominantly estate sectors; similarly, create a DSD at Pundaluoya and a PS at Karandugolla in Hanguranketha. Political leadership resisted because they did not want these areas to align with estate-majority regions. This Government, which intends to serve all communities, should proceed.

¶ 07 Walapane PS jurisdiction covers about 120,000 people with only one DSD office; Hanguranketha has 98,000 with one DSD office; Kothmale has 105,000 with one. People must travel far for services, causing hardship. Please establish additional DSDs in these areas.

¶ 08 Integrate plantation people into the national mainstream. Today, for basic needs like electricity name changes or land issues, estate residents must obtain letters from the estate management. This perpetuates the old “estate superintendent” system. Issue circulars, including through CEB, to allow direct processing via GNs and DSDs so estate residents receive the same facilitation as others without dependency on estate management.

¶ 09 Nuwara Eliya District has a Municipal Council, two Urban Councils, and multiple PSs — 14 local bodies — but only the Municipal Council has a fire brigade. When fires occur in towns and estates, there is no immediate firefighting capacity. Provide fire engines to PSs and UCs.

¶ 10 On Ambagamuwa PS salaries: after splitting into Norwood, Maskeliya, and Ambagamuwa, 16 staff went to Norwood and 14 to Maskeliya, but Ambagamuwa PS continues to pay their salaries, while a circular limits reimbursement to 20%, leaving the PS to cover the rest. This is unfair; please resolve it.

¶ 11 On Provincial Councils: PCs are necessary not only for the North and East but for all. I served three terms as a Provincial Minister; PCs enable close service delivery in education, health, agriculture, and roads. If women’s representation or other adjustments are required, bring amendments and hold elections under the previous system without delay. Let whoever wins serve the people.

¶ 12 Finally, an illustration: a dishonest oil trader sold adulterated oil for years and fell ill. On his deathbed he advised his son to sell only good oil. The next day, customers accused the son of selling “bad oil,” believing the father sold only good oil. The lesson: people must accept and perceive the good. Your policies must be clearly communicated and earned in public trust. Market your work effectively; otherwise, the public won’t accept it. Thank you.