A heated exchange occurred between Parliamentarian Ramanathan Archchuna and Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekaran during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held today (16).

The confrontation was sparked when the minister attempted to control the tension situation which had escalated between MP Archchuna and government officials attending the meeting. 

According to officials, the MP criticised the conduct and performance of government officials using highly inappropriate language.

Following the remarks, government officials who were present at the meeting attempted to leave the venue in protest.

Although the Chairman of the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, attempted to defuse the situation, those efforts were unsuccessful.

After the officials left the meeting, the verbal exchange between the Fisheries Minister and MP Archchuna reportedly intensified into a heated confrontation before police officers and several others present intervened and brought the situation under control.

The Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting commenced at 9.00 a.m. today at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat’s auditorium.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, MPs K. Ilankumaran, Sivagnanam Shritharan and Ramanathan Archchuna, among others.

During the meeting, MP Archchuna questioned the discontinuation of a development project implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture in 2025 to promote the cultivation of grains, including ‘Undu, Cowpea, Kurahan’ and peanuts in the Thiruvaiyaru area of the Kilinochchi District.

A discussion was also held regarding allegations that a member of the Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha had illegally occupied canal reservation land and allegedly constructed a bridge leading to his residence using Rs. 3.5 million in state funds, with the alleged assistance of government officials.

The situation became increasingly tense after MP Archchuna alleged that senior government officials were also involved in corruption taking place within the district.

The police subsequently intervened and took steps to control the situation, and the meeting was temporarily adjourned.