It is unacceptable to put forward views and demands that affect the fundamental objective of long-term development projects being undertaken at a cost of several million rupees to protect groundwater resources, said Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan of the Northern Province. He also stressed that the protection of natural resources should not be based solely on short-term needs, but should be carried out responsibly, guided by scientific evidence, long-term planning, and the welfare of future generations.
The final workshop of the project to improve groundwater management in the Jaffna peninsula was held today – on Thursday (13 August 2026), at Thinnai Hotel, Jaffna.
Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan attended the event as chief guest and delivered an address. On behalf of the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, Deputy Chief Secretary (Engineering Services) N. Suthakaran participated and spoke at the event.
Continuing his address, the Governor noted that drinking water, agriculture, people’s livelihoods, and future development in the Jaffna peninsula are all inseparably linked to groundwater resources. He stated that protecting groundwater is therefore not merely an environmental measure but a national responsibility to safeguard the people’s right to a livelihood.
He noted that through this project, groundwater monitoring stations have been established, and a modern monitoring system has been developed to continuously record data on groundwater levels and quality. He further noted that a range of outcomes have been achieved, including rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge activities, and awareness programmes involving schoolchildren, all of which are commendable.
Citing the Thondamanaru reservoir barrage project as an example, the Governor observed that as the benefits of such multi-million-rupee water resource conservation projects are now beginning to become evident, it would be inappropriate to propose solutions that compromise their objectives based on short-term pressures. He also emphasized that all future decisions must be made on the basis of scientific data and research.
The Governor stated that the protection of groundwater resources is not the responsibility of any single institution, and that sustainable solutions can only be achieved through the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders, including government departments, research institutions, universities, local government bodies, farmers, and the general public. He further stressed that such efforts must continue even after foreign-funded projects come to an end.
The event was attended by representatives of the International Water Management Institute’s Sri Lanka office, a representative of the British High Commission, the Secretary of the Northern Province Ministry of Agriculture, the Provincial Director of the Department of Agriculture, officials of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, academics and officials from the University of Jaffna, students, and others.
