Civil administration in Kilinochchi
SHIRLEY WIJESINGHE
N. Javanathan was the first Government Agent appointed by the then
Government in 1983. T. Ramanayagam and Nicholus Pillai were appointed as
the Government Agents in 2002 and 2007 respectively.
Until it was captured by the Government security forces under the
leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Kilinochchi area was
under the control of the LTTE. However, N. Vedanayagam is continuing
with the current administrative functions of the Kilinochchi district.
Kilinochchi district consists of four AGA divisions.
Kilinochchi town is administered by the Kilinochchi Urban Council to
provide basic infrastructure facilities to the people in the area.
Total extent of land area in Kilinochchi is nearly 538 square miles
with a population of 150,000 according to the recent unofficial census
in 1998.
The Britishers wanted to improve the communication and literacy level
of the people in the North. In the 1930 s there had been only a few
families in Kilinochchi.
The people outside were reluctant to reside at Kilinochchi due to the
threat of Malaria.
After granting the land outright of the area, the people were willing
to reside in Kilinochchi from 1940. There had been a need of water for
cultivation purposes. As a remedy the Iranamadhu tank was built to
supply water to the Dryaru tank located in the heart of the city.
In the streets of the city, you still find British names such as
Amerson Road, Kendy Road. Some are names of British Civil servants of
the country at that time. |