Local Authorities must not only provide services but also increase their own revenue. To achieve this, they should develop appropriate plans and make full use of the Local Loans Development Fund, stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
An awareness workshop for Chairmen and Secretaries of Local Authorities in the Northern Province on the operations of the Local Loans Development Fund was held today – on Thursday 13 November 2025, at the Management Development Training Unit (MDTU) in Kilinochchi.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor emphasized that Local Authorities in the Northern Province must take steps to attract investors to their respective regions. They must also ensure the provision of necessary infrastructure facilities for investors. Likewise, for those who have already invested, their needs must be met—since they contribute to local revenue through taxes. However, he also noted that the performance of some local authorities in these areas has been unsatisfactory.
The Governor further highlighted that in the future, local authorities will need to manage their councils based on their own income. Therefore, they must begin encouraging investment now to prepare for that scenario.
He added that awareness regarding not only the Local Loans Development Fund but also bank loans and assistance from the President’s Fund is very low in the Northern Province, while a large number of applications are received from the South. The main reason for this, he said, is the lack of awareness among the public and field officers.
To address this issue, this awareness workshop was organized to expand the operations of the Local Loans Development Fund in the Northern Province. The Governor expressed hope that, in the future, Local Authorities would obtain loans from this fund for their sustainable development projects.
Delivering the welcome address, Mr. Sambasivam Sutharshan, Commissioner of Local Government – Northern Province stated that within the next five years, every local authority should become self-sufficient. Loans such as these will be of great assistance in achieving that goal through revenue generation and development.
Mrs. Thanuja Murugesan, Chief Secretary of the Northern Province and a member of the Development Fund, noted that while Local Authorities in the South obtain a large number of loans from the fund, only a few councils from the North have applied so far.
Mr. K. D. Chithirapala, Director of the Local Loans Development Fund, gave a detailed presentation on the fund’s operations.
Hon. Chairmen, Assistant Commissioners of Local Government, and Secretaries of the Local Authorities from the Northern Province participated in the event.
