The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 My name is always mispronounced here; the correct name is Mohamed Ismail Muththu Mohamed.

¶ 03 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to join the debate on the Ministries of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and Labour. This Ministry is the backbone of the administration—from Government Agents to support staff.

¶ 04 However, due to the attitudes of some officers, people face delays and time waste in getting services. Recently, people complained that when they go to offices, officers ask which area they come from, sometimes to determine whether they are ruling-party supporters, and then services are given quickly to some and delayed for others. People travel long distances and waste time, only to face such politicization. Officers under Public Administration must not act out of fear of Ministers or MPs or on their behalf.

¶ 05 There are also severe staff shortages—Grama Niladharis or Samurdhi Development Officers often cover two or three divisions, making full service impossible. For example, in Vavuniya District there are 42 divisions; for some, the Divisional Secretariat is 18–20 miles away, and officers cover multiple divisions without adequate travel allowances. The Government must increase travel reimbursements.

¶ 06 Under the Indo-Lanka Accord and the 13th Amendment, the Government accepted Provincial Councils as a constitutional responsibility. Yet for 7–8 years, PCs have been non-functional, with Ministers effectively acting as authorities. This must change.

¶ 07 A watchman in the Provincial Education Department, after 13 years of service, requested a transfer and was told to produce a replacement before he could move. Such responses demoralize lower-level staff and may push them to quit. These practices must end.

¶ 08 Minority rights devolved through PCs must be realized so people in those regions can self-administer for their needs. Therefore, hold Provincial Council elections without further delay.

¶ 09 Regarding local authorities: about 341 elected bodies operate, but many in the North lack vehicles and buildings. In Cheddikulam Pradeshiya Sabha, even the Vice Chairman lacks a proper office; technical and mechanical officers are absent. Is the Government unwilling to empower LAs to meet local needs? Provide resources and plans to increase their revenues.

¶ 10 LA members, whether Opposition or Government, are continuously with the people, yet their allowances are meagre—Rs. 15,000 or Rs. 25,000—and travel facilities are lacking. Provide them with motorcycles to serve effectively, reclaimable after their term if necessary. Sometimes authorities withhold support fearing a loss of political influence—this should not happen.

¶ 11 The Irrigation Department recently sent interview notices for minor staff—watchmen and labourers—on 12.11.2025 in Vavuniya, listing 11 documents to bring, but only in Sinhala, causing hardship to Tamil applicants. At least conduct interviews in Tamil where appropriate.

¶ 12 Finally, I express condolences, on behalf of Vavuniya people, on the demise of former Vavuniya Government Agent and former Southern Province Governor, Hon. Bandula Harischandra.