The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment
Minister Upali Pannilage tabled a written response on staffing and disciplinary matters in Samurdhi-related offices in Vavuniya, giving approved cadre, in-position numbers and vacancies for the District Secretariat and divisional offices. He stated that recruitment to fill vacancies has been referred to the Committee on Public Service Staff Review at the Prime Minister’s Office and will proceed after approval, and that transfers may be granted according to service needs and officers’ requests. He also reported that, since the Department of Samurdhi Development was established in 2014, recruitment had occurred only in 2017 through a competitive examination. On alleged misuse of funds and fraudulent withdrawals linked to community-based banks, he tabled details of charge sheets, pending appeals, and ongoing or planned inquiries against named officers.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I table the answer.
¶ 02 (a) (i) Approved cadre vs. in-position and vacancies:
¶ 03 - Vavuniya District Secretariat: Approved 70; In position 53; Vacancies 17 - Vavuniya South Divisional Secretariat: Approved 42; In position 41; Vacancies 1 - Vavuniya North Divisional Secretariat: [figures as per tabled document] - Cheddikulam Divisional Secretariat: [figures as per tabled document] - District Samurdhi Office: [figures as per tabled document]
¶ 04 (ii) Recruitment to fill vacancies has been referred to the Committee on Public Service Staff Review at the Prime Minister’s Office. Approval is awaited; recruitment will proceed upon approval.
¶ 05 (iii) Yes.
¶ 06 (iv) Transfers can be granted to other Divisional Secretary’s Divisions based on service requirements and officers’ requests.
¶ 07 (v) After establishment of the Department of Samurdhi Development in 2014, officers have been recruited only in 2017, through a competitive examination.
¶ 08 (vi) No.
¶ 09 (b) (i) Yes. Details and current status are as follows (tabled):
¶ 10 - Vavuniya South DS: Cases involving misuse of funds at People’s Banks linked to community-based banks; charge sheets issued on 25.02.2025 and 28.04.2025 to named officers; one officer absented from duty since 06.05.2016 and was noticed for vacation of post; appeal pending; inquiry arrangements in progress. - Additional officers (list of names) subject to inquiries regarding fraudulent withdrawals/loans; charge sheets issued on 09.07.2025; replies received in certain cases; inquiry officers being appointed, etc.
¶ 11 (c) Not applicable.
¶ 12 Answer tabled.
Provenance
- Source
- Hansard, Saturday, 22 November 2025 ·No. 22972 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 22 November 2025. No. 22972. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/22827