Traders in Mannar have accused the National People's Power (NPP), now in government, of using political influence to prevent Tamil traders from retaining their shops in a prime trading area, sparking outrage and allegations of bias.
The dispute centres on temporary business establishments along the Divisional Secretariat Road, which the Mannar Municipal Council owns. The council issues daily permits and collects fees from traders during the festive season. At the end of the year, the area is cleared to lease shops competitively, generating significant revenue for the council.
However, this year, controversy erupted when 11 traders, who publicly identifying as NPP members, refused to vacate their shops despite a directive from the Municipal Council. The traders claimed they had secured permission from the Northern Province Governor to remain, citing alleged political backing from the NPP.
The defiance of the 11 traders caused widespread discontent among the remaining 45 traders, who abided by the Municipal Council's request to vacate temporarily. Efforts by the Sri Lankan police in Mannar and the council to enforce the directive were resisted, with NPP-affiliated traders claiming political protection.
An individual who claimed to be an NPP District Coordinator further escalated the situation, asserting that the Governor had sanctioned shop allocations for their party’s members. The coordinator's actions, including an attempt to intimidate journalists and municipal officials, drew criticism from traders and observers.
The Municipal Council Secretary publicly dismissed the claims, stating that no written permission had been granted by the Governor. Subsequently, when approached, the Governor denied authorising the traders’ continued occupation, reinforcing the council's authority to clear the area.
The refusal of the 11 traders to vacate their shops jeopardised the council's leasing process, which typically generates around two crore rupees annually. The shops in the contested area alone bring in 30-40 lakh rupees during the year-end market. The council emphasised that these funds are crucial for local development projects, warning that political interference threatens both revenue and governance.
Local traders expressed frustration, accusing the NPP of prioritising political interests over fair governance. The situation has also raised questions about the party's alleged misuse of power to benefit its members.