The Divisional Secretary and his staff were locked inside the Verugal Divisional Secretariat office for several hours today (15), prompting a strike in front of the Secretariat and completely disrupting relief efforts for flood-affected residents, Sri Lanka Latest News reports.
The Divisional Secretary did not report to work yesterday (16), and all Secretariat staff joined the protest by taking sick leave, resulting in the complete closure of the Divisional Secretariat.
Residents affected by the recent floods came to the Secretariat seeking assistance but returned disappointed. Among them were people attempting to claim the Rs. 25,000 allowance meant to help clean their homes after the floods, who were also unable to receive support.
Disaster relief services in ten Grama Niladhari divisions under the Verugal Divisional Secretariat were therefore disrupted. It was reported that Divisional Secretary M.A. Mohamed Anas, still shocked by the incident on the 13th when he and his staff were locked in the office for several hours, has requested a few days’ leave and informed the Government Agent.
On the 13th, more than a thousand people reportedly broke down the main gate of the Verugal Divisional Secretariat and stormed the office premises. During the incident, the Divisional Secretary and staff were locked in the office for several hours, causing significant disruptions to disaster relief services. The Trincomalee Government Agent, W.G. Mahesh Hemantha Kumara, who had gone to mediate the situation, was also locked inside the office.
