• Registrar Gen.’s Dept. to register deaths/missing persons connected to disaster 

The Grama Niladhari (GN) Officers’ Alliance has threatened to resort to trade union (TU) action if GN officers are continuously obstructed from carrying out their duties independently during the relief distribution process for those affected by the disaster. The President of the Alliance Nandana Ranasinghe stated that pressure is being exerted by various factions on GN officers as they attempt to carry out the relief distribution process independently. Ranasinghe said that during relief distribution activities and while managing temporary camps, various politicians exert pressure on GN officers and that therefore, they are facing difficulties in maintaining certain shelters. He said, “We must clearly state that although this Government is more active in providing and implementing relief compared to previous Governments, we have received reports from our colleagues across the country that certain politicians of this Government are interfering with the duties and responsibilities of GN officers. At a time when the entire country is affected by a disaster, we are not prepared to focus on TU action. However, if any further interference is directed at GN officers during the relief distribution process, we will be compelled — though reluctantly — to resort to TU action.”

Meanwhile, the Registrar General’s Department has announced that the necessary legal provisions have been implemented to register the deaths of individuals who died or went missing due to landslides and floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah. If a person, relative, or close friend has been reported missing as a result of the disaster, legal measures have been established to officially register the deaths of such missing persons. The Temporary Provisions for the Registration of Deaths in National Disaster Areas and Administrative Districts were published in an Extraordinary Gazette on 02 December, in line with the relevant act For the registration of a missing person’s death under these provisions, an application form containing the required information, along with an affidavit confirming the facts must be submitted to the GN of the area where the individual last resided. The GN is required to forward the application to the Divisional Secretary (DS). The request will then be displayed for public objections for two weeks at both the Divisional Secretariat and the respective GN office. If no objections are raised, the DS will submit the application to the Deputy or Assistant Registrar General in charge of the authorised zone for approval. In cases where objections arise, an investigation must be conducted before appropriate action is taken. For requests pertaining to certificates of absence, DSs have been instructed to accept applications under the same procedure, conduct proper investigations, and issue the certificates accordingly.