The government has been allocating adequate funding and working towards the reconstruction and economic recovery of the Northern Province, and further attention needs to be paid to investment and value addition to agricultural production in the province, said Northern Province Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan. At the same time, Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ishbel Martin stated that expectations among the people of the Northern Province are high, and that people expect swift solutions to their demands.
The meeting between Northern Province Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan and Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ishbel Martin was held today – on Thursday morning, 20 August 2026, at the Governor’s Secretariat. During the meeting, the Governor warmly welcomed the High Commissioner and briefed her on the current situation in the Northern Province and the various development initiatives being carried out.
The Governor elaborated in detail on the progress of reconstruction activities in the Northern Province following the Ditwah disaster. He noted that the government has allocated sufficient funds for the reconstruction works undertaken after the damage, and that the works are being carried forward continuously as needed.
The Governor pointed out that although the Northern Province faced losses due to the Ditwah disaster, this season’s Yala harvest of paddy has been higher as a result of the irrigation management carried out in the province. He also stated that arrangements relating to paddy marketing and procurement are being made to convert the increased paddy production into economic benefit for farmers.
At the same time, the Governor noted that agricultural produce available in the Northern Province is still being marketed largely as raw material rather than as value-added products, and that adequate facilities and opportunities for value addition have not yet been sufficiently developed. He stressed the need to attract investment in this sector.
The Governor also briefed the High Commissioner on progress relating to the three investment zones to be established in the Northern Province, noting that these zones would contribute to expanding the province’s investment climate and creating new employment opportunities.
Both parties also exchanged views on various matters of contemporary social and political significance to the Northern Province. The High Commissioner discussed with the Governor matters including the resettlement of Muslim people, the Chemmani issue, the process of releasing lands used by security forces in the Northern Province, the development of Kankesanthurai Harbour and Jaffna International Airport and reconciliation efforts.
Regarding the process of releasing lands held by security forces, the Governor stated that the Deputy Minister of Defence had recently visited the Jaffna and Mullaitivu districts in person to hold discussions, and that follow-up discussions on further action are continuing in Colombo as well. He noted that land release efforts are thereby being carried forward continuously.
The Governor stated that an agreement between India and Sri Lanka is being prepared for the development of Kankesanthurai Harbour, and that the government has decided to develop Jaffna International Airport in two phases. He explained that, accordingly, infrastructure development work including the airport terminal is being carried out in the first phase, while work including runway expansion will be undertaken in the next phase.
The Governor further pointed out that steps are being taken to provide compensation, after around 40 years, for lands acquired in the past for the airport’s expansion.
The Governor also referred to the removal of certain restrictions preventing Sri Lankan refugees residing in Tamil Nadu, India, from returning to the country. He stated that conditions have now been created enabling expatriate Tamils to travel to and from the country without any sense of fear.
The Governor also pointed out that individuals from the Tamil and Muslim communities are increasingly being appointed to leadership positions and decision-making senior posts in certain nationally important institutions, noting in particular such representation in key national bodies such as the Finance Commission and the Procurement Committee.
The Governor also requested that Tamil people residing in Canada and Canadian investors be encouraged to invest in the Northern Province, stating that they could contribute to the province’s economic growth through investment, entrepreneurship, and knowledge and technology transfer, among other means.
The Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province and the Private Secretary to the Governor were also present at the meeting.
