To rebuild the Northern Province’s cooperative sector as a strong economic force once again, officials and staff managing cooperative societies must adopt new thinking and a change of mind-set. Rather than confining themselves to office-level operations, they must go into the field, understand the real needs of the societies, and develop them by integrating production, marketing, and modern management, said Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan of the Northern Province.
A ceremony to award certificates to cooperative society staff was held this morning – on Friday, 11 September 2026, at the Auditorium of the Northern Province Chief Secretary’s Secretariat. The event was chaired by Ms. S. Akalya, Commissioner of Cooperative Development Department, Northern Province, with Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan attending as Chief Guest.
Certificates were presented to 32 staff members who completed the Higher Certificate Course in Cooperative Management conducted by the District Cooperative Boards of Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, and Mannar with the support of the Department of Cooperative Development and the contribution of the Provincial Cooperative Training Institute, along with 215 staff members who participated in skills-development training programmes for staff conducted by the Provincial Cooperative Training Institute.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor noted that the cooperative sector, particularly in the Northern Province, was once closely linked with people’s livelihoods and production and functioned strongly. He observed that its strength has since declined due to administrative shortcomings and management weaknesses that developed over time.
The Governor stated that during his tenure as District Secretary in four districts, although various forms of assistance were extended toward the development of cooperative societies, irregularities and weaknesses in some administrations meant they failed to deliver the expected results, and that at one point his own confidence in the cooperative sector had been affected. He stressed the need to build efficient, transparent, and accountable management to change this situation.
The Governor further noted that the future of the cooperative sector must be linked with modern management, transparent accounting, electronic financial management, marketing capability, the application of new technology, and accountability toward members.
Pointing out that the Northern Province has diverse economic resources including agriculture, fisheries, industrial production, women’s small enterprises, and new youth initiatives, the Governor stated that these could be integrated through cooperative organisations, from production through to marketing and sales.
The Governor also emphasised that staff receiving certificates today should put the knowledge and skills they have gained into practice at their workplaces, and that a certificate should not merely be something displayed on an office wall.
Stating that cooperative societies must once again become institutions that regain the trust of the people, the Governor called on everyone to join together and begin a new cooperative journey, one that empowers producers, protects consumers, creates employment, and uplifts the people’s economy.
The event was attended by Mrs. E. Anton Yoganayakam, Secretary of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Cooperatives; Mrs. Annete Ninthusha Antony Dinesh, Assistant Chief Secretary; and Prof. J. Nanthakopan, Dean of the Faculty of Management, University of Vavuniya. Also present were Assistant Commissioners of Cooperative Development, representatives of District Cooperative Boards and staff who received certificates.
