“If one acts with integrity, criticism will certainly follow. If one sets out to make changes, challenges will certainly arise. That is precisely what happened against the Kilinochchi District Secretary at yesterday’s (on Thursday) District Coordinating Committee meeting,” said Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan of the Northern Province.
The event to confer promotion appointments on those selected for the Special Grade of the Northern Province Management Service, along with the appointment ceremony for newly recruited Inland Revenue Inspectors and Librarians, was held today – on Friday, 17 July 2026, at the Governor’s Secretariat. The Governor made the above remarks while addressing the gathering as Chief Guest and presenting the new appointments.
The Governor further stated in his address:
“Here today are two groups , those receiving new appointments, and those already in service who are receiving promotions. Officers who served in the past are now seated here as Secretaries and Commissioners. In those earlier times, when they served, there were numerous political interferences and pressures. But today, no such situation exists. You may work with far greater freedom; however, you must work with integrity.
If you work with integrity, slander will certainly be directed at you. False information about you will be spread on social media. You will have to face various challenges.
The public expects prompt, friendly, and quality service from you. Therefore, you must approach matters with the right mindset. You should think about how you can serve an ordinary citizen who comes seeking your help, never about how you can turn them away. Some forget, once seated in the chair of office, that these positions are granted to them precisely for the purpose of serving the public; that situation must change.
In earlier times, government appointment letters would state that one ‘must serve in any part of Sri Lanka.’ Now, appointment letters carry the condition that one ‘must serve in any part of the Northern Province.’ However, there is now a growing tendency to refuse transfers when they are issued. This is an inappropriate practice for public service.
Work with sound leadership qualities. If you possess that quality of leadership, the thought of transferring you away from the post assigned to you would never occur to us. I expect you to dedicate yourselves to providing the excellent service that the people desire,” he emphasized.
At the outset of the event, the Governor’s Secretary, Sivapathasundaram Sathiyaseelan, delivered the welcome address. This was followed by guidance and advice offered to the new appointees by Deputy Chief Secretary – Administration of Northern Province Ezhilarasi Anton Yoganayagam and Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Local Government A. Sothinathan.
Management Service Special Grade: 26 persons (of whom 11 have been appointed as Secretaries of Local Government bodies, and 15 as Administrative Officers). Inland Revenue Inspectors: 14 persons. Librarians: 2 persons.
It is noteworthy that the appointment ceremony was attended by several senior officials, including the Commissioner of Local Government – Northern Province, the Senior Assistant Secretary of the Local Government Ministry, the Assistant Chief Secretaries and Administrative Officers.
