The Registrar General’s Department has announced that the legal provisions required to register the deaths of persons who died or went missing due to landslides and floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah have already been implemented.
Issuing a statement, the department noted that if a person, relative, or friend has been reported missing due to this disaster, the necessary legal framework has been established to register the death of such missing individuals.
The department stated that, according to the Temporary Provisions Act on Death Registration in National Disaster Areas and Administrative Districts, a special gazette notification was issued on December 2.
Under this regulation, anyone applying to register the death of a missing person must submit an application form with relevant details and a sworn affidavit confirming the facts to the Grama Niladhari of the area where the missing person habitually resided.
The Grama Niladhari will then forward the application to the Divisional Secretary, who must display it for two weeks at both the Divisional Secretariat and the relevant Grama Niladhari office for objections.
If no objections are raised, the Divisional Secretary must submit the application for approval to the Regional Deputy or Assistant Registrar General authorized by the Registrar General.
If objections are presented, an inquiry will be conducted and appropriate action taken, the department added.
Furthermore, under this regulation, when a certificate of disappearance is requested, applications will be accepted, and proper investigations carried out, after which the Divisional Secretary will issue a certificate confirming the disappearance, the Registrar General’s Department stated. (Newswire)