Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata informed the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan that several Japanese investors are interested in exploring investment opportunities in the Northern Province and are closely monitoring developments in Sri Lanka and the prevailing investment environment in the Northern Province.
The Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Akio Isomata, who was on a visit to the Northern Province, met with the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, at the Governor’s Secretariat this morning – on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, where they discussed a range of matters of mutual interest.
At the outset of the meeting, the Governor welcomed the Japanese Ambassador to the Northern Province and briefed him on the current situation in the province, the progress of development activities, and the key challenges being faced.
During the meeting, the Japanese Ambassador briefed the Governor on the discussions he had held with various stakeholders during his visit to the Northern Province and shared his observations regarding the progress and challenges of the reconciliation process.
The Governor noted that the present government is placing particular emphasis on the development of rural areas in the Northern Province that had not received sufficient attention in the past. He further stated that substantial financial resources are being allocated to accelerate development in these areas.
The Governor also highlighted the need to promote value-added manufacturing industries in the Northern Province, noting the current lack of such industries. He further briefed the Ambassador on the three investment zones proposed for the province.
Furthermore, the Governor highlighted the importance of sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and tourism to the economic development of the Northern Province, while noting that the province also offers investment opportunities across a range of other sectors.
The Governor noted that the Northern Province is working towards increasing its contribution to Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 10 percent, from the current level of 4.6 percent.
The Governor noted that investor interest in Sri Lanka has increased since the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office. He also sought the cooperation of the Government of Japan in further expanding investment opportunities in the Northern Province and facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise in modern technologies.
During the discussion, the Japanese Ambassador inquired about the release of lands in the Jaffna District and the public protests related to the matter. In response, the Governor explained that such protests are often linked to the high expectations of the people regarding government action, and noted that the government is taking steps to release the lands in a phased manner.
Furthermore, the Governor noted that, under the present government, a mechanism has been initiated to provide compensation for lands acquired around 1986 for the Palaly Airport. He further stated that additional lands in the Jaffna District are expected to be released by the end of this month.
The Ambassador also inquired about land documentation and land ownership rights. In response, the Governor explained the challenges arising from the destruction of land documents during the war, including documents held by members of the public in the Vanni region and those maintained by government departments. He further outlined the measures currently being taken to address land-related issues through public consultations and to grant ownership rights in cases where there are no disputes over the respective lands.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Ambassador also inquired about the issue of enforced disappearances and expressed interest in the measures being taken to further strengthen trust in the government among the families of the disappeared. He also expressed the view that greater efforts should be made to expedite the progress of investigations into these cases.
Noting that Japanese investors are closely observing Sri Lanka’s current economic and investment climate, the Ambassador stated that they have also expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities in the Northern Province.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Ambassador noted that the number of people learning Japanese in the Northern Province is low compared to other provinces in Sri Lanka, and mentioned that he is focusing on initiating Japanese language studies in the Northern Province.
The Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province and the Private Secretary to the Governor also participated in this meeting.
