It is our moral responsibility to extend a helping hand to the people of the Northern Province who have been affected by the disaster, rehabilitate them, and ensure their livelihoods are restored. While ensuring that the affected people return to normalcy as quickly as possible, the annual development plans of the province must also be completed at an accelerated pace without any delay, said the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, in his directives to the officials.
An emergency high-level meeting with all departmental heads and secretaries of the Northern Province was held this morning – on Monday 08 December 2025, at the Governor’s Secretariat. Governor made the above remarks in the discussion.
Addressing the meeting, the Governor stated that each district has faced different kinds of impacts. In particular, people living near breached tanks have suffered massive losses. Restoring normalcy in all affected areas at the earliest is the firm emphasis of His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Officials must act with courage and confidence. If you have integrity, there is nothing to fear. Take bold decisions. Services to the people must never be delayed due to your hesitation or lack of courage, he stressed.
Regarding compensation for agricultural and livestock losses, the Governor instructed the officials:
“Do not wait for the affected people to come to offices to register their losses. You must personally visit the sites, assess the situation, and record the damages yourselves. Also, immediately initiate actions for re-cultivation in areas where it is possible.”
The government is ready to release funds. If special financial assistance beyond regular government circulars is required for the Northern Province, we are prepared to request it. Rebuilding the lives of people who have lost their livelihoods and are left helpless is the collective responsibility of all of us, he said.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture highlighted issues such as the removal of road debris accumulated in paddy fields due to floods, difficulties in re-cultivation, potential disease outbreaks in crops, and the risk of reduced yields in the future.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Director of the Department of Animal Production and Health stated that continuous treatment camps are being conducted for livestock and medicines are being provided free of charge.
Progress of projects being implemented under the Provincial Specific Development Grant (PSDG), as well as setbacks caused by the disaster, were reviewed ministry-wise. Officials pointed out problems arising from delays in issuing bills even after physical work has been completed. The Governor also directed that a comprehensive damage assessment report caused by the disaster be sent to the Presidential Secretariat without delay.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a new web application designed by the Northern Province Co-operative Employees Commission to make it easier for the public to submit their complaints was officially launched by the Hon. Governor.
The event was attended by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province, Secretaries of Provincial Ministries, Deputy Chief Secretaries, and Heads of Departments.
