A pilot discussion on formulating integrated and long-term sustainable development plans for each sector of the Northern Province was held this evening – on Monday, 24 November 2025, at the Governor’s Secretariat, under the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
Addressing the meeting, the Governor said : “The Directors General of the Department of National Planning, the Department of Foreign Resources, and the Department of National Budget will be visiting the Northern Province next month. Instead of identifying projects only after foreign donors announce their willingness to provide funds, we must proactively prepare our own projects based on the needs of our people. This is particularly important as there is a possibility that funds from central ministries may be released directly to the Provincial Council in 2026. Furthermore, securing the approval of all three departments will be greatly beneficial for our future activities.”
Continuing his remarks, Dr. Akilan Kathirkaamar, Chairman of the Northern Province Governor’s Advisory Committee and Senior Lecturer, noted “I participated in the discussion held in Colombo under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of Finance. The President and the Deputy Minister have instructed that special development plans be prepared for the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Relevant directions have also been issued to Treasury officials. The Northern Province will have access to funds through various programs. Therefore, it is important to formulate suitable plans—focused on reducing imports and promoting exports—with the guidance of the relevant stakeholders.”
The officials who spoke on the occasion pointed out that information on projects implemented through previously established Project Offices had not been properly shared with the relevant provincial departments, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of those initiatives. They further requested that such shortcomings be avoided in the future.
The Governor assured that he would raise this issue during the forthcoming visit of the Directors General of the Departments of National Planning and Foreign Resources. It was also decided to establish separate committees for each department to prepare the required plans and to expedite the related activities.
The Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Governor, the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Deputy Chief Secretary – Planning, as well as the Provincial Directors of the Departments of Agriculture, Animal Production & Health, Irrigation, Industries, Rural Development, and the Commissioner of Cooperative Development participated in the discussion.
