Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, has issued orders to take strict action based on the inquiry report of a retired judge, regarding alleged administrative irregularities and financial misconduct at the Vavuniya Municipal Council.
In line with the Governor’s instructions to prevent the misuse of public funds, the Commissioner of Local Government has issued a directive to the Commissioner of the Vavuniya Municipal Council, ordering the immediate suspension of payments for disputed projects and the discontinuation of illegal tax collections.
A retired District Judge, Kandaiah Ariyanayakam, had been appointed as a one man inquiry commission through a special gazette notification by the Hon. Governor, to thoroughly investigate the administrative irregularities, abuse of power, and misconduct in the desilting of the sewage drain at the Vavuniya Municipal Council.
Based on the detailed report and recommendations of this inquiry commission, the Hon. Governor has ordered the immediate *implementation of the following measures:*
Thirunavatkulam Sewage Canal Irregularities and Payment Suspension:
The inquiry has confirmed that all actions taken in connection with the desilting project of the Thirunavatkulam main sewage canal were carried out in violation of legal provisions. The inquiry report further noted that the documents submitted claiming payment for the said work are unreliable, and that the project was undertaken based on an individual’s personal preference rather than a unanimous council resolution. Accordingly, the Governor has categorically ordered that no payment for this illegal project shall be made from the Municipal Council’s funds.
Illegal Land Allocation, Administrative Deficiencies, and Corrective Recommendations:
The inquiry has confirmed that land owned by the Municipal Council, located in front of the Vavuniya Police Station, was distributed to traders without following legal regulations and procedures. Serious violations were noted, including failure to obtain ministerial approval, action taken without a council resolution, non-compliance with state procurement procedures, and allocation of land without formal agreements.
In response, the inquiry report has put forward the following recommendations:
• Procedures related to illegally allocated land portions must be reviewed.
• All land allocation activities must be carried out solely in accordance with legal regulations and council resolutions.
• If affected traders need to be relocated, alternative lands must be provided on a priority basis and through lawful means.
• All agreements must be legally formalised with the signatures of the relevant authorities.
• Revenue due to the Municipal Council must be properly assessed and collected.
Furthermore, due to the above irregularities, instructions have also been issued to immediately halt the collection of business taxes from traders occupying illegally allocated land areas.
In accordance with these orders from the Hon. Governor, the Northern Province Commissioner of Local Government, S. Sutharsan, has today (28 April 2026) issued a special written directive to the Commissioner of the Vavuniya Municipal Council.
Accordingly, a deadline has been set by the Commissioner of Local Government for the Commissioner of the Vavuniya Municipal Council to immediately implement the orders issued by the Hon. Governor and to submit a comprehensive report on the actions taken within two weeks.
