The first coordination committee meeting for this year in the Jaffna District took place this morning – on Friday, 27 March 2026, at the auditorium of the Jaffna District Secretariat.
The meeting was chaired by the Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekhar, with the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, Nagalingam Vethanayahan, serving as co-chair.
The meeting commenced with a welcome address by M. Piiratheepan, the District Secretary of Jaffna District and Secretary of the Coordination Committee. Several key matters relating to the district’s development and current challenges were discussed.
Considering the impacts of conflicts in the Middle East region, discussions were held on measures taken to regulate fuel distribution. In particular, the District Secretary noted that discussions would be held with the President regarding additional fuel allocations for heavy vehicles transporting goods between Jaffna and Colombo. It was further stated that fuel for fisheries and agricultural activities is being provided based on applications submitted by relevant organizations, while other industrial stakeholders can obtain fuel by submitting requests through Divisional Secretariats.
Approvals were granted for newly submitted projects. Progress of development projects to be implemented this year by the Jaffna District Secretariat, the Northern Provincial Council, and central government departments was also reviewed. In addition, detailed discussions were held on the implementation status and progress of the ‘Prajashakthi’ national programme and the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative.
Special attention was given to road rehabilitation works under the Road Development Authority, boat services, and the supply of drinking water to island regions. The status of transportation services such as the school transport service (Sisu Seriya), night-time service (Nisi Seriya), and transport services for industrial zones (Hami Seriya) was also reviewed.
Proposals submitted by Hon. Members of Parliament and the Hon. Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council were discussed. Matters that had not been resolved at regional coordination committee meetings and were subsequently referred to the district committee were also taken up and addressed.
Participants included Hon. Members of Parliament J. Rajeevan, S. Sribhavanandarajah, and S. Sritharan; Hon. Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council C.V.K. Sivagnanam; the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province; Secretaries of the Ministries; Deputy Chief Secretaries; members of the armed forces; chairmen of local government bodies; heads of departments; and other government officials.
