Mediation Boards for North-East

by Sandasen Marasinghe

Justice and Judicial Reforms Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne expressed the hope that his Ministry's attempt to facilitate innocent people affected by the tsunami last year by establishing Mediation Boards even in North and East areas will be successful as a result of the P-TOMS.

The Minister made this observation at the inaugural of the Mediation Board Commission Welfare Fund and granting tsunami aid among the members of the Mediation Boards affected by the tsunami, at the Justice and Judicial Reforms Ministry.

The Minister disbursed Rs. 320,000 among the 57 members of Mediation Boards who were affected by the tsunami.

"Any conflict among individuals or groups worth less than Rs. 500,000 in the areas where the tsunami paralysed the smooth function should be forwarded before a Mediation Board," said the Minister. "Such conflicts cannot be forwarded before Courts directly without a non-mediation certificate issued by a Mediation Board".

The Minister also said the Ministry has taken steps to initiate Special Mediation Boards in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kilinochchi, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee and the Puttalam districts which were affected by the tsunami last December.

There are 320 Mediation Boards in the country and the Ministry is increasing the number to 380.