Divisional Secretariat - Thihagoda

How can I reach the Thihagoda Divisional Secretariat?

• Travel along the Matara–Hakmana main road. After passing Thihagoda and continuing ahead, the building located on the left-hand side is the Thihagoda Divisional Secretariat.

Inquiry regarding Grama Niladhari Division numbers

• There are no Grama Niladhari Division numbers assigned to the 38 Grama Niladhari Divisions in this division.

Is the owner required to be present when registering a business name?

• The owner of the relevant business must be present for this purpose and must bring their National Identity Card.

What documents are required when dealing with bank deposits and pawned items belonging to a deceased person?

• Death certificate of the deceased person
• Documents proving the applicant's relationship to the deceased (birth certificates, marriage certificates)
• If there are other family members, affidavits confirming that they have no objection to the applicant receiving the money or items
• National Identity Card

What documents are required to transfer the name on an electricity bill?

• Deeds proving ownership of the relevant property where electricity is supplied
• A letter confirming ownership issued by the National Housing Development Authority or Municipal Council
• National Identity Card

How can pregnant mothers obtain the Rs. 20,000 nutrition allowance?

• Before completing three months of pregnancy, an application can be obtained from the Early Childhood Development Officer of the Divisional Secretariat to which the maternal clinic you attended belongs, or from the officer implementing this programme.

Who is eligible to receive educational assistance?

• School-going children are eligible for educational assistance if their father has passed away or is suffering from an incurable disability.

How can a non-governmental organization be registered?

• Non-governmental organizations that have been in operation for more than one year can be registered after submitting the required documents.

Can a new Samurdhi benefit be obtained?

• New beneficiaries are not currently being selected. However, appeals will be accepted for consideration in the future.

What are the eligibility requirements for receiving the elderly allowance?

• The applicant must be over 70 years of age on the date of application.
• The monthly family income must be Rs. 3,000 or less.

Only one person from among the husband or wife may apply for this benefit.

How can copies of birth, marriage, or death certificates be obtained?

• If the number and date of the birth, marriage, or death certificate are known, the certificate can be obtained by paying Rs. 100 to the Divisional Secretariat.
• If the number and date of the birth, marriage, or death certificate are not known, Rs. 200 must be paid to the Divisional Secretariat to obtain the certificate.
• In this regard, the relevant certificate can be obtained from the Thihagoda Divisional Secretariat only if the birth, marriage, or death occurred within Matara District.

How are births registered?

• For registration of a normal birth, the birth must be registered by meeting a Birth Registrar in the relevant division within three months of the birth.
• For registration of a birth after three months have elapsed, meet the Additional District Registrar and obtain the relevant information.

How can corrections be made to a birth certificate?

• Bring the relevant documents and meet the Additional District Registrar.

How can a widow's and orphans' pension be arranged after the death of a civil pensioner?

• First, obtain the pensioner's death certificate and stop the pension.
• If there is any excess amount, send a letter to the bank requesting recovery of the relevant amount.
• Then inform the relevant person to bring the following documents:
  • Original death certificate of the pensioner
  • Original birth certificate of the widow
  • Original marriage certificate
  • Photocopy of the widow's bank passbook
  • Photocopy of the widow's National Identity Card
  • Photocopy of the Widow and Orphans' Pension Card or the Widow and Orphans' Pension number
  • A passport-sized colour photograph certified by the Grama Niladhari
  • All photocopies of the above documents must be certified by the Grama Niladhari.
• Thereafter, once the relevant information has been provided, the file is taken forward and the necessary arrangements are made to establish the widow's and orphans' pension.

Why has a pensioner's pension been stopped?

• The pension may be stopped because the life certificate for the relevant year has not been submitted.
• The pensioner is required to submit the life certificate after obtaining certification from the Grama Niladhari.
• Once the life certificate is submitted again, the pension will be updated.

Why is the pension not paid to the heirs after the death of the widow?

• It should be explained that, according to the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Act, there are no legal provisions to pay the heirs any pension amount or arrears that may have been due to a person entitled to a widow's and orphans' pension after that person's death.