Hon. Governor of Northern Province N. Vethanayahan stated that delays or negligence by officials in converting government allocated funds into actionable projects within the stipulated timeframe, and delivering them to the public, lead to a loss of public confidence in the government.
The progress review meeting of the 2026 annual development programmes of the Provincial Ministry of Women Affairs, Rehabilitation, Social Services, Cooperatives, Food Supply and Distribution, Industries, Entrepreneurship Development, and Trade and Commerce of the Northern Provincial Council was held this evening – on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, at the Governor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor.
“The government allocates substantial funds, yet due to delays or negligence in implementation by officials, a false impression is created among the public that the government is doing nothing. Officials serving under our provincial administration must ensure that such situations do not arise,” the Governor instructed.
Through the Provincial Department of Social Services, 33 projects are to be implemented this year with an allocation of Rs. 226 million. The Governor directed that the department must maintain a comprehensive primary registry of persons with disabilities in the Northern Province and ensure that their needs are addressed on a priority basis.
Matters relating to the provision of livelihood assistance under the Ministry of Women Affairs were also discussed.
An allocation of Rs. 151 million has been made to the Provincial Department of Industries. The meeting included a detailed review of the current progress of projects already initiated under programs aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs.
Projects implemented under the Provincial Department of Cooperatives were also reviewed. Taking into account the transportation needs of the people of Delft, the Governor instructed that the renovation work of the passenger vessel “Samuthira Deva,” allocated Rs. 2.614 million, be expedited.
Issues faced by Palmyrah and Coconut Resource Cooperative Societies, as well as matters related to the Excise Department, were also discussed in detail.
The Governor further instructed that certain projects be reconsidered.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, the Governor’s Secretary, the Ministry Secretary, Deputy Chief Secretaries, the Commissioner of Cooperative Development, the Director of the Department of Industries, the Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services, the Secretary of the Cooperative Employees Commission, and Assistant Commissioners of Cooperative Development from each district.
