“The year 2026 is a year for development. Therefore, officials must be prepared to implement ‘Development Administration.’ Unlike routine administration, development administration requires the capacity for swift decision-making and strong dedication to work. Everyone must move forward together with this policy,” stated the Governor of the Northern Province, Hon. N. Vethanayahan.
A special discussion with the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Directors, Commissioners, and Heads of Departments was held this morning, Saturday (14.02.2026), at the Governor’s Secretariat.
The important directives issued by the Governor during this discussion are as follows:
“Feedback regarding the projects implemented in 2025 must be obtained and sent to the Finance Commission and the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs. The projects for this year must be handled by taking the challenges faced and experiences gained during the last year as lessons.
The estimation work for the projects to be implemented in 2026 must commence immediately. It is commendable that the departments under the Northern Province Ministry of Local Government have already published tender notices. Other Ministries must also expedite these activities.
Various criticisms have arisen regarding the quality of work by contractors in the development projects implemented last year. Therefore, a proper mechanism must be created to identify contractors who perform sub-standard work and to take action against them or reject them in the future.
Without being confined only to offices, every Ministry must select one village in the Province each month, visit it directly to identify the people’s needs, and fulfill them. Ministries must create a specific mechanism for this.
The ‘Flying Squads’ established through the Secretaries of each Ministry to monitor departments must operate more efficiently. I receive many direct complaints from the public regarding the time management and service delivery of government officers. If the Flying Squad operates actively, such shortcomings can be avoided.
In some Local Authorities, there is a lack of cordial relations between the Hon. Chairmen and the Secretaries. Complaints are continuously being raised by both parties. Appropriate investigations will be conducted regarding this, and solutions will be found.
Since many development projects are to be implemented this year, preparations should be made now to recruit the necessary technical officers on a contract basis for additional work. At the same time, routine works must be completed quickly to give priority to development activities,” the Governor pointed out.
It was also announced that progress review meetings for each Ministry will be held separately starting next month.
