The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, stated that the government led by His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has allocated adequate funds and is effectively carrying out efforts to rescue people affected by the Ditwah cyclone disaster and to rebuild the affected areas.
He made these remarks while participating as a co-chair and addressing the first District Coordinating Committee meeting for the year 2026 of the Mullaitivu District, which was held today – on Tuesday 27 January 2026, at the Mullaitivu District Secretariat.
He further stated:
“With regard to the North, 2026 will be a ‘Year of Development’. An unprecedented number of development projects will be implemented this year. In addition to the regular financial allocations of the Provincial Council, we will also receive additional funds through central line ministries. Beyond the funds already allocated, it will be possible to obtain further funding by submitting additional project proposals.”
Addressing the meeting, the Chairman of the Coordinating Committee and Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperative Services, Upali Samarasinghe, noted that in addition to central and provincial funds, several new development projects will be implemented this year in the Northern Province—particularly in the Mullaitivu District—under special funding allocations.
Delivering the welcome address, Mullaitivu District Secretary A. Umamaheswaran stated that strong political leadership and the cooperation of officials were received for the disaster relief efforts following the Ditwa disaster at the end of 2025. Assistance to the affected people was provided in a timely manner. As many projects are to be implemented in 2026, he emphasized the need to fill existing staff vacancies in the district.
At the meeting, it was announced that 20 percent of the total funds allocated to the Northern Provincial Council for the year 2026—amounting to Rs. 1,592 million—has been allocated to the Mullaitivu District.
Subsequently, the progress of projects implemented in 2025 was reviewed, and approval was granted for new development projects for 2026. Matters that could not be resolved at the divisional secretariat level, as well as issues prevailing in the district, were also discussed in detail.
The meeting was attended by Vanni Electoral District Hon. Member of Parliament T. Ravikaran, Chief Secretary of the Northern Province Mrs. Thanuja Murugesan, Secretaries of Provincial Ministries, Chairmen of Local Authorities in the Mullaitivu District, Heads of Departments, Police & security officials, and representatives of civil organizations, among others.
