Every arm of the Northern Province’s provincial administration must function with a single direction and a single purpose in order to effectively meet the needs of the province’s people, Hon. Governor of Northern Province N. Vethanayahan said. He stated that, without allowing room for personal differences of opinion, self-interest, or power rivalries, all officials must work together as one team for the people.
A workshop on administrative law, organised by Office of the Deputy Chief Secretary – Personnel and Trainings of the Northern Provincial Council, was held today – on Tuesday (18 August 2026), at the Conference Hall of the Provincial Council Secretariat in Kaithady. Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan attended as chief guest and delivered an address at the event.
Speaking at the event, the Governor noted that while matters such as administration structure development, technological advancement, and budget management within the provincial administration are important, the rule of law is the fundamental basis for advancing them correctly. He said that an administrative culture that respects the law, follows due process, and makes decisions responsibly is the foundation of a strong administration.
The Governor emphasized that since the decision-making powers entrusted to executive officers can affect an individual’s life, the operations of institutions, and in some cases a family’s future, authority is not merely a right but also a responsibility. He said that every administrative decision including appointments, promotions, transfers, and disciplinary action must be lawful and fair.
The Governor remarked that he has sensed certain recent attempts, through some activities, to disrupt the smooth functioning of the provincial administrative machinery, and stated that the provincial administration does not run on a single wheel. He explained that executive officers form one wheel, administrative officers another, and that each official and each institution is a separate wheel within the administrative machinery.
He noted that the administrative machinery can run without hindrance only when all these wheels move in the same direction and with the same purpose, and that friction between them slows the pace of administration and, in some cases, can affect the entire administrative machinery. He therefore stressed that, without allowing room within the administrative structure for personal differences of opinion, self-interest, or power rivalries, all officials must function as a single team working together for the people, not against one another.
The Governor said that since an administrative decision may later be challenged before the Human Rights Commission or in court, every officer, before making a decision, should ask themselves: “Will this hold up legally? Could I explain this before a court tomorrow? Does this align with natural justice and fairness?”
He also noted that situations have arisen recently requiring certain actions to be suspended, because the necessary legal and administrative procedures were not fully followed in those instances. He said that proceeding with any action without fulfilling the basic legal preconditions does not constitute proper administration.
At the same time, the Governor pointed out that delaying decisions out of unnecessary fear where the law should simply be followed, and passing responsibility on to the next-level officer, are not hallmarks of good administration. He said that the authority entrusted to officers must be exercised boldly, fairly, and responsibly, within the bounds of the law.
The Governor further noted that the ultimate beneficiaries of a legally sound administration are not officials but the general public. He said that transparent and fair administrative decisions strengthen public trust while reducing unnecessary litigation, complaints, and administrative delays freeing up time and public funds to be used once again for the people’s development and welfare.
The event was attended by Chief Secretary of the Northern Province Mrs. Thanuja Murugeson, the Deputy Chief Secretary of the Personnel and Training, the Deputy Chief Secretary – Administration, the Director of the Provincial Management Development Training Unit and other provincial administrative officers, among others.
