Political rivalry in Jaffna DDC; PM intervenes and appoints his nominee

The ongoing political rivalry within the Jaffna District Development Committee (DDC) resulted in an appointment of a direct representative from the Prime Minister’s office, this week.

Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Coordinating Secretary G. Kasilingam has been nominated as the representative by the Prime Minister’s office at DDC meetings and Divisional Coordinating Committees to “ensure smooth coordination”, according to the letter issued by the PM’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake on Wednesday.

Currently, Sri Lanka Freedom Party Parliamentarian Angajan Ramanathan and Northern Governor Jeevan Thiagarajah function as Co- Chairmen of the Jaffna DDC while Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda was appointed as Co- Chair for the Kilinochchi DDC.

In the recent past, there were allegations that political favouritism took the lead in the Jaffna district when selecting beneficiaries for housing and other government initiatives in the district. This forced the previous Governor to subject them for review.