Authority of the state lands transferred to northern Governor

All the state lands in the Northern Province have come under the control of northern provincial Governor Major General G.A.Chandrasiri effective immediately.

At a state the new Sinhala colonization is getting established at Nawatkuli, in a condition of activities processed to take possession of state lands for the forces utilization, authority of state lands changing over to the hands of Governor instantly, has created massive suspicion amidst the Tamil community.

On this basis, the utilization of state lands located in the Northern Province, the decision maker concerning all these deeds have been given to the Governor.

According to the special directive from President, this power has been granted to Northern Province Governor which is not in practice to the Governors in other provinces.

The Divisional Secretary of the area was responsible to this activity so far. However, after President's special directive, Divisional Secretaries authority has been transferred suddenly to the Governor, which is only effective for the Northern Province.

This directive had been given through a telephone message to the Divisional Secretaries, Government Agents and the relevant officials of the five districts coming under the Northern Province.

However according to President's advice, the powers which was in the hands of Divisional Secretaries of the Northern Province had been suddenly transferred to Governors hands.

Meanwhile Divisional Secretariat circles notify concerning this transfer of powers, circulars were not issued, until yesterday evening.

According to the new procedure, in future if state lands are rented for office functions, state lands for investment activities or for lease, channeling should be done through the respective division Grama Sevaka office, to Divisional Secretary, forwarded to Government Agent, submitted to Northern Province Governor for approval;.

Details regarding state lands which were given before on rent or lease will be collected, and concerning this, it would be examined, and in the proper manner the lands which are not utilized, would be taken back was also decided.

This procedure was required to adopt for the use of state lands by police and three forces in the Northern Province,.

This decision had been taken to adopt a systemized procedure concerning the use of state properties in the Northern Province.

Governor Chandrasiri informed this procedure is coming into effect according to the advice of President Mahinda Rajapakse.

To clarify this matter, a meeting is scheduled on Wednesday at the Governor's office with the participation of the five Government Agents operating in the Northern Province.

Through this new procedure, the use of state properties will be monitored, and the problems occur connected with lands, a decision will be taken to control the problems.

Failure to obtain approval, legal action would be taken against the connected sources by using this authority, was said.

Governor is in the intention of granting state lands to the forces in the north, and by using this authority, could acquire the state properties existing in the north, will establish systemized Sinhala settlements. This sudden action may have got introduced due to this, is the suspicion prevailing in the midst of Tamil people was stated.

Monday , 04 February 2013