Abstract:
The administrative divisions should be effective and efficient. Then people can get good service.
Decentralization is one of the actions taken to provide a better service to the citizens. So the
Divisional Secretariat Offices (DSOs) act as development centers at the regional level on behalf of
the Government.
The administrative unit of Thenmaradchchi region in Jaffna District, is not known for efficiency of
serving its people, neither is regional development found in this area. The eastern part of this region is
highly affected due to the war and is without proper infrastructure. The allocation of government
funds is in equal portions in all DSO divisions. So it is impossible to develop a vast area with limited
funds.
It is important that people who suffer continuously should also involve themselves in development
activities. The DSO in this area, is unable to satisfy the increasing needs of the people. Therefore, this
area was selected for this research. Evaluation of feasibilities for establishing a new DS division for
this area is important for its development.
The study aims to find a suitable area for establishing a new DSO and identifying the total area for
providing the service. SWOT analysis, descriptive statistical analysis and spatial analysis are used for
this purpose. Opportunities for the resources, area for the service, problems faced, population, land
area, road network, land use and administrative service are taken into consideration for data
processing. All these aspects’ feasibilities are separately analyzed.
The results helped to select which area would be suitable for the new DSO. Four service centers, such
as Mirusuvil, Varani, Kodikamam and Kaithadi were selected for the study. According to the analysis
four kinds of suitability were known. “100 – 76%” was considered highly suitable; “75 – 51%” was
suitable, “50 – 26%” moderate suitable and “25 – 00” was not suitable. Total area for the service and
feasibilities could be found from these analyses.
