The Northern Province is today the leading province in the country in implementing the Social Security Pension Scheme. Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan said that this progress is not the achievement of any single office. It is the result of the sustained dedication of all the officers who worked in the field, from District Secretaries to Grama Niladharis, the planning, Samurdhi, social services and social security sectors.
The Governor made these remarks at the Northern Province National Social Security Awards 2026, organised by the Social Security Board of Sri Lanka. The event was held today – on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at the Hotel Selvajeevitham hall in Vavuniya.
Noting that his association with the social security sector did not begin after he became Governor, he recalled that he received the National Award for Social Security for two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017, while serving as Jaffna District Secretary. He said he regarded that award not as a personal achievement but as recognition of the efforts of the hundreds of public officers who had worked in the field with him.
The Governor said he was very pleased to have the opportunity, many years later, to attend an event of the same sector as Governor and to commend the officers who are working with dedication.
Observing that the data for 2025 clearly shows the Northern Province’s leading position in implementing the Social Security Board’s pension scheme, the Governor said this progress did not result from the individual performance of any one office. He said it rests on the sustained field work of everyone, from District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries, planning and Samurdhi officers and those serving in the social services and social security sectors, to Grama Niladharis.
The Governor pointed out: “The Social Security Pension is not merely a scheme that provides a sum of money. It is a comprehensive protection system that secures old-age protection for those who do not receive a government pension, and also includes various social security provisions such as death benefits, disability benefits and educational scholarships.”
Recalling his tenure as Mullaitivu District Secretary, the Governor said the social security scheme was introduced there during that period. Seeing the small initiative begun then being carried forward successfully today, he said, he can appreciate how an administrative initiative becomes, over time, an important protection system rooted in people’s lives.
Stating that the public officers working in the field are the true pioneers behind the success of this scheme, the Governor extended special appreciation to all the officers who went from District Secretariats to Divisional Secretariats and beyond the Grama Niladhari offices to people’s doorsteps, met them, explained the scheme and enrolled them as beneficiaries.
Congratulating the officers receiving the national awards, the Governor said: “This award is not recognition for the conclusion of your service, but recognition that increases your responsibility to serve even better.” He said young officers would learn from their work, and that public trust in the public service would be further strengthened through it.
Noting that the number of elderly people will increase further in the coming years, and that social security schemes will therefore grow in importance, the Governor said: “The social security system we build today will be the foundation for the peaceful life of tomorrow’s generation.”
The Governor emphasised that, rather than merely taking pride in the Northern Province’s present leading position, everyone has a responsibility to sustain that position and bring more people into the social security network.
The Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, R. Chandrasekhar, attended as Chief Guest; Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan of the Northern Province as Special Guest; and Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development, Upali Samarasinghe, as Guest of Honour. District Secretaries and Additional District Secretaries of Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya, Divisional Secretaries, Directors of Planning, Grama Niladharis, officers of the Social Security Board of Sri Lanka, and many officers connected with the social security sector also participated.
The programme included the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, a welcome address, a welcome dance, special addresses and the presentation of awards.
