The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, proudly stated that the Northern Provincial Council receiving an “Unqualified Opinion” from the Auditor General for the year 2025, for the first time in its history, marks a significant milestone that deserves to be engraved in golden letters in the history of the Northern Provincial administration.
An event was held today – on Thursday (03 September 2026), at the Auditorium of the Northern Provincial Chief Secretary’s Secretariat to honour the Northern Provincial Council and its nine departments for receiving an “Unqualified Opinion” for the year 2025, as well as the departments of the Northern Provincial Council that won Gold and Bronze Awards at the Best Annual Report and Accounts Competition conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Public Accountants. The Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, attended the event as the Chief Guest and delivered a special address.
Addressing the event, the Governor stated that the true measure of how responsibly a state institution manages public funds is reflected in its financial accounts and audit. He emphasized that, rather than merely highlighting the number of projects undertaken by the provincial administration, greater importance should be placed on whether the financial management underpinning those activities is systematic, transparent, and reliable.
He noted that the Northern Provincial Council had received an “Unqualified Opinion” for the first time in its history in the audit covering the year ended 31 December 2025. He described this achievement as a recognition of the collective efforts of the officers and officials who had worked quietly, diligently, and responsibly over many months and years to strengthen financial management and accountability within the Provincial Council.
Emphasizing that this achievement was not the success of any individual, but rather a recognition of the collective efforts of the entire provincial administration, the Governor stated that the fact that nine of the 32 institutions operating under the Northern Province received an “Unqualified Opinion” for the year 2025 is also a commendable achievement.
He further noted that the progress and best practices demonstrated by these institutions should serve as a valuable example and guide for the other institutions of the Northern Province, encouraging them to further strengthen their financial management, accountability, and performance.
Emphasizing that “accounts should not speak; account books should speak,” the Governor stated that, rather than the administration merely claiming how well it is performing, its financial accounts and audit results should serve as the true evidence of its performance and accountability.
At the same time, the Governor stressed the need to continue giving due attention to audit observations and financial irregularities identified in previous audits that remain unresolved. He stated that the “Unqualified Opinion” received today should serve as a strong foundation for correcting past shortcomings, preventing their recurrence, and building a more transparent, accountable, and efficient provincial administration in the future.
Noting that there have been instances in recent times where certain external parties have attempted to influence the progress and reform initiatives of the provincial administration, the Governor stated that the appropriate response should not be to engage in blame or identify those responsible, but to demonstrate the administration’s commitment through its work, financial accounts, results, and the quality of services delivered to the people.
He further urged all stakeholders to look beyond personal interests, differences of opinion, and struggles for power, and instead focus collectively on a single question: how can we move the Northern Province forward?
The Governor stated that the highest recognition that the provincial administration could aspire to receive would be the genuine affirmation of the people that “the administration of the Northern Province is completely trustworthy.” He emphasized that earning and sustaining such public confidence should remain a collective responsibility and called upon all officials and stakeholders to work together with dedication and integrity towards achieving even higher standards of good governance, accountability, efficiency, and public service.
The event was attended by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, Mrs. Thanuja Murugesan; Secretaries to the Provincial Ministries; Deputy Chief Secretaries; the Chief Internal Auditor; Heads of Departments; officials of the Audit and Finance Departments; and other senior government officials and distinguished guests
