The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, stated that producers must receive a fair price for their products, emphasizing that the province can achieve full self-sufficiency only when producers are fairly compensated, without the interference of middlemen.
The Annual General Meeting of the “Industrial Forum for the North” was held on Saturday evening, 21 March 2026 at the North Gate Hotel, Jaffna, under the chairmanship of the Forum’s Chairman, S. Naguleshwaran.
The Hon. Governor made the above remarks while attending the event as the Chief Guest and delivering a special address.
Continuing his address, the Governor stated, “Our province cannot achieve meaningful progress without the sustainable development of industries. The growth of small and medium enterprises must be export-oriented, and we must provide them with the necessary impetus to achieve this.
There is still a need for a shift in the mindset of the heads of government departments. While some progress has been made compared to the past, I continue to expect more significant and transformative changes,” he said.
Commenting on financial allocations, the Governor stated, “Over the past 16 years since the end of the war, the growth of small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in our province has been remarkable. However, they continue to face significant challenges in accessing government loan facilities.
The low-interest loan schemes introduced by the government are implemented on a nationwide ‘first come, first served’ basis. By the time our entrepreneurs complete the required documentation, applicants from other provinces have already secured these loans.
To address this issue, we are focusing on two key measures. First, we will request the allocation of a dedicated loan quota for the Northern Province. Second, we are working to provide support through local universities to assist entrepreneurs in preparing the necessary documentation,” he said.
Speaking on tourism and infrastructure, the Governor stated, “Tourism plays a vital role in both the provincial and national economy. The Northern Province is currently witnessing a significant influx of tourists from India, and with the full support of the Indian Consulate, we are undertaking several initiatives to further enhance this trend.
Travel time between Colombo and Jaffna remains a key factor influencing tourist arrivals. To address this, the government has prioritized the establishment of a domestic passenger terminal at Katunayake Airport.
In addition, an environmental impact assessment is currently underway for the proposed construction of the Kokkilai–Pulmoddai bridge, which is expected to improve connectivity and facilitate easier travel for tourists visiting Trincomalee and the Northern Province,” he said.
“In addition, we have taken steps to provide all necessary facilities to investors coming to the Northern Province under one roof through a Single Window System, by bringing together all relevant government departments. Once implemented, this will create a significant opportunity for investors,” the Governor noted in his address.
The event was attended by Ramya Chandrasekaran, Head of Commercial and Consular Affairs at the Indian Consulate in Jaffna, along with heads of government departments, bank managers, entrepreneurs, and members of the Northern Industries Council.
