The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today’s adjournment motion concerns the Koralaipattu Central DS. In Batticaloa there are 14 DS divisions. Among them, Kiran (Koralaipattu South) and Koralaipattu Central were newly created in 2002 based on Panambalana Commission recommendations.

¶ 02 Batticaloa is a district where two communities speaking one language live. We must travel with ethnic unity, peace and harmony. Past rulers took ethnically driven decisions that destabilized the country and led to war.

¶ 03 Seven GN divisions were drawn from Koralaipattu—Valaichchenai; one GN from Koralaipattu West—Ottamavadi; and three from Koralaipattu North—Vakarai; totaling 11 GNs envisaged for Koralaipattu Central. Yet Koralaipattu Central was never approved, and likewise Kiran (Koralaipattu South) also remains unapproved.

¶ 04 This process began in 1999 and resurfaced in 2001. MPs and civil society then warned it could create confusion. In 2013 it was discussed again in a parliamentary committee in which Hon. Hizbullah also participated. As the National People’s Power, our firm position is that approvals must now be granted, but while preserving ethnic harmony in Batticaloa. Past ethnically framed decisions created hardship. In national government, such conduct must not recur. Resolve this respecting the aspirations of both communities, after hearing their views. That is our expectation. Thank you.