“Thailand, which has made significant progress in transforming manufactured goods into value-added products, should share its expertise in this area and encourage investors to explore opportunities here,” said the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, Mr. N. Vethanayahan.
A delegation led by the Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka, H.E. Beirun, met with the Governor at the Governor’s Secretariat on Friday evening (22.08.2025) for discussions.
Welcoming the delegation, the Governor highlighted Thailand’s leadership in converting raw commodities into value-added products. He emphasized that Thailand, with its extensive experience in this area, could play a valuable role in sharing its knowledge and best practices.
The Governor further noted that, despite the Northern Province’s strong potential in agricultural and seafood production, both sectors are experiencing significant price hikes. This, he said, has led to a concerning trend of farmers abandoning agriculture altogether.
He pointed out that one of the key reasons for this issue is the lack of adequate infrastructure and opportunities to process or add value to produce when it is available in abundance. Addressing this gap, he stressed, is crucial for stabilizing prices and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
The Governor noted that experienced Thai investors could be encouraged to invest in the Northern Province, where they could help convert agricultural and seafood products into value-added goods for export. In response, the Ambassador expressed a positive outlook and stated that he would explore the matter further.
Addressing the topic of employment, the Ambassador highlighted that many Sri Lankans are currently employed in Thailand, and emphasized that similar opportunities could be extended to the youth of the Northern Province.
The Ambassador also took interest in the tourism sector, discussing its potential and reviewing the existing infrastructure to support its development.
The Governor pointed out that Mullaitivu District remains the most underdeveloped area in the Northern Province, primarily due to the lasting impact of the civil conflict. He noted that, despite the district’s wealth of natural resources, there are limited opportunities to harness them effectively for development.
The Secretary to the Governor and the Coordinating Secretary to the Governor were also present at the meeting.
