Closure of Koslanda sub office of Haldummulla Secretariat

Villagers face immense hardships

By Asok Kumar

A large population of more than 3,000 families in several remote areas in Haldummulla DS Division are in a predicament due to the closure of Koslanda Sub Office of the Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat.

The government that considered the problems faced by the people who were compelled to make a long trek to Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat established the sub office at Koslanda.

However, it was shifted to Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat recently without least concern about the problems of the people. Haldummulla DS Division was an under-developed area with a large population of low income families that has been neglected by successive governments since independence and left without the basic facilities of a human habitat.

Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat is responsible for the administrative function of 39 Grama Niladhari areas with a population of more than 50,000 people of all communities.

The residents of several areas including Aluthwela, Mahalanda, Icepilla, bounded by Wellawaya and Thanamalwila DS Divisions are the worst affected.

They must make a long journey of more than 80 kilometres to Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat to obtain a birth certificate, a death certificate, a revenue licence for a vehicle or to get a character certificate endorsed by the Divisional Secretary.

This is not a one day affair for them. Meanwhile, Ambakola-ara and Usella villages in Mahalanda Grama Niladhari area is approximately 60 kilometres away from Haldummulla.

The residents of Mahalanda area must make a long journey through Kudaoya, Balaharuwa, Wellawaya, Koslanda and Beragala to Haldummulla traveling in five buses.
A resident of Mahalanda area K.G. Dayawathi said: "We have been facing severe hardships for want of a bus service to Mahakola-ara, and Usella villages. Our representations in this regard to the relevant authorities fell on deaf ears. A lorry or a tractor could be seen in the area once in a way. Quite often we make a long trek through hard terrain to Kudaoya without waiting for vehicles and proceed to Haldummulla by buses.
Our journey to Haldummulla costs us at least Rs. 500. However, our administrative functions were quicker and easier with the Koslanda sub office.

Now we must go to Haldummulla office even to get a seal for a letter. It is sad that the authorities were not concerned about our difficulties.
P.L. Kumarasiri of Kelipanawela, said "We are struggling for existence against different odds due to economic constraints. It is with great difficulty that we earn a pittance to maintain our families.
We are not in a position to make a long journey to Haldummulla by several buses. About 3000 families were benefited by Koslanda sub office before it was closed. Now the people living in several villages beyond Beragala are in difficulty".
A resident of Koslanda, T.W. Suranjith said "Koslanda sub office was shifted to Haldummulla without consulting the people. It is quite unfair by the people that they should make a long journey to Haldummulla, to seek the services of the Divisional Secretariat.
After the police post at Koslanda was upgraded as a police station with more strength, the area was cleared of illegal liquor menace and other nefarious activities. Similarly we should have a Divisional Secretariat for the area. The people in the remote villages including Aluthwela, Mahalanda, Kolongasthenna, Welanvita, Akkaraseeya, Icepilla, and Hewelkandura would be immensely benefited if the sub office was re-established".
Meanwhile, Divisional Secretary, Haldummulla, G. Saman Ratnayake said "Haldummulla Division is the largest DS Division in the Badulla district.
There should be two separate DS Divisions in the interest of the people. However, a sub office was established at Koslanda to meet the requirements of the people in several remote villages.

It functioned smoothly for several years. The proposal to establish a separate Divisional Secretariat for Koslanda area was yet to be implemented".
