The arrival of tourists to Delft has been increasing in recent times. Therefore, considering the welfare of the people of that area and tourists, the need has arisen to rehabilitate the Delft jetty. The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, requested that the Government of the Netherlands provide its cooperation for this purpose.
An official meeting between the Governor of the Northern Province and the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka, Wiebe de Boer, took place yesterday – on Wednesday 21 January 2026, around 6:00 p.m. at the Governor’s Secretariat.
During this meeting, various important matters were discussed.
The Ambassador expressed his desire to attract more tourists than those currently visiting the Jaffna Fort, which was rehabilitated in the past with financial assistance from the Government of the Netherlands. In response, the Governor pointed out that special development projects focused on tourism development centered on the Jaffna Fort have been prepared under the financial assistance of the World Bank.
The Ambassador mentioned that he had personally visited the Kilinochchi Hospital among the four hospitals established in the Northern Province (in Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mankulam, and Point Pedro) with financial assistance from the Government of the Netherlands. He also inquired from the Governor about the challenges hindering the full operation of these hospitals.
The Ambassador stated that he would participate in the ‘Northern Investment Summit’ and noted that the movement of investors from Colombo towards the North is a positive change.
In response, the Governor emphasized: “During the tenure of the current government, the most favorable environment for investment exists in the North. Agricultural, fisheries, and livestock products from our province are being exported only as raw materials. What we need are factories to convert these into value-added products here itself.”
Furthermore, the Governor highlighted the export opportunities for palm-based products and, in particular, the innovative wine production initiative from palmyra in Jaffna. He expressed confidence that these efforts would have a direct positive impact on the provincial economy in the future.
The Ambassador also inquired about the damages caused in the North by the recent ‘Ditwah’ cyclone. In addition, detailed discussions were held on provincial administrative activities, Provincial Council elections, the drug abuse issue, and incursions by Indian trawlers.
Moreover, the Ambassador pointed out that the His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s assurances given in Jaffna last week regarding the development of Palaly Airport and Kankesanthurai Port are a favorable signal for the development of the North.
The discussion was attended by the Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province, Coordinating Secretaries to the Governor, as well as the Senior Political Advisor and Cultural Advisor from the Embassy of the Netherlands.
