The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, in response to the question raised by Hon. K. Kadar Mastan under Standing Order 27(2) on 2025.09.09, my reply is as follows.

¶ 02 1. According to information available in the Ministry files, 107 vehicles were provided to the Manik Farm Welfare Camp, which operated under the Vavuniya Cheddikulam Divisional Secretariat. There is no information that vehicles were provided to other welfare camps.

¶ 03 2. Of the vehicles provided to Manik Farm Welfare Camp, 12 vehicles were later taken over by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and were subsequently reported as stolen. Information on which institutions took over the remaining vehicles, dates of handover, and officers responsible is not available in this Ministry’s files. However, details of the institutions currently using the 107 vehicles are included in this reply.

¶ 04 3. Information regarding a 2014 survey conducted on 56 vehicles provided to Manik Farm is not available in the Ministry’s files. However, in relation to complaint FCID/09/2025, in 2019 the Ministry of Resettlement collected information through local authorities. According to that data, of the vehicles provided to Manik Farm, 95 were taken by government institutions and 12 by UNHCR. Those 12 vehicles were reported stolen by UNHCR via email. A certified copy of that email is annexed as Annex 01. Detailed information about the vehicles is set out in the document provided under answer to question No. 1.

¶ 05 4. Therefore, it is observed that vehicles provided to Manik Farm Welfare Camp have not been misplaced.

¶ 06 According to the files, the tractor RB-2639 was neither leased nor handed over to any private party.

¶ 07 There is no information in the Ministry files that members of the Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha submitted letters to the Ministry Secretary requesting legal action against the Chairperson of the Pradeshiya Sabha, and accordingly no action was taken by this Ministry against the Chairperson for furnishing false information.

¶ 08 As the full reply is lengthy and cannot be condensed, I present a summary, while laying the complete reply before the House.

¶ 09 Regarding the legal action concerning seizure of the tractor RB-2639, the Police report No. 81/600/09/2025 dated 2025.09.09 signed by Senior DIG (Administration – Acting) Lalith Pathinayake sets out the steps taken. A certified copy is annexed as Annex 02.

¶ 10 According to the Police report, on 2019.04.19, upon information that a cow was being transported by tractor in the Taliymannar area (Parithipane Road, Kaju-watta forest), a team from Talaimannar Police conducted a raid. The suspect Aruluppu Christian was granted Police bail. On 2019.04.25, OIC HQ, Chief Inspector U.K.D.P.L. Udawatta reported facts to court under M/U B 316/2019 at Mannar. Investigations revealed transport of cattle without a permit; cruelty to animals; no revenue licence or insurance for the tractor; and the trailer operating without a number plate. Two absconding suspects, Christian Robinson and Philip Robinson, later surrendered to Court.

¶ 11 For these charges, on 2020.08.28 the accused pleaded guilty. Fines imposed: Rs. 12,000 for the first offence, Rs. 4,000 for the second, and Rs. 4,000 for the third—totalling Rs. 20,000. This is confirmed by examination of Talaimannar Police records.

¶ 12 A complaint was filed under case No. M/U 50558 at Mannar against: - Aruluppu Christian, Kaubiyankudy Irippu, Nadukudaa, Talaimannar - Christian Robinson, Kaubiyankudy Irippu, Nadukudaa, Talaimannar - Philip Robinson, Kaubiyankudy Irippu, Nadukudaa, Talaimannar

¶ 13 They pleaded guilty on 2020.08.28 and were fined a total of Rs. 20,000.

¶ 14 Accordingly, legal action has been taken.

¶ 15 Hon. Speaker, I table the detailed reply and Annexes 1 and 2.

¶ 16 Placed in the Library.