A special discussion among Hon. Governor, N. Vethanayahan, authorities of the Cooperative Employee Commission Northern Province, and the Department of Cooperative Development was held on Monday (04 April 2026) at the governor’s secretariat.

Multiple challenges faced by cooperative employees were deeply discussed at this discussion. Specifically, suggestions were given by the governor to authorities to expedite the administrative matters and requests of employees.

Further, in the view of improving the services effectively, special attention was focused on the cooperation between the Cooperative Employee Commission of Northern Province and the Provincial Department of Cooperative Development.

Many authorities, including the secretary to the governor, Chairman of the cooperative employee’s commission, member of the commission, provincial commissioner of the cooperative development department, secretary of the cooperative employee commission, and District level assistant commissioners of the cooperative Development, were participated in the discussion.

Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan emphasized that, beyond maintaining the Northern Province’s national first place in the percentage of university admissions from among all candidates, efforts must be made to further raise that achievement level and in particular, intensive attention must be given to increasing the number of students gaining university admission on a ‘merit’ basis.

The monthly progress review meeting of the Northern Province Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs, Sports, and Youth Affairs was held today evening – on Thursday, 30 April 2026, at the Governor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan.

At this meeting, the progress of projects implemented by the Ministry and its Departments of Education, Sports, and Cultural Affairs was reviewed in detail. In addition, the current status of projects being carried out in national schools in the Northern Province through the Central Ministry of Education was also examined.

During this discussion, the Hon. Governor highlighted several key matters and issued directives:

The Governor paid special attention to the newly formulated teacher transfer policy, aimed at rationalizing the distribution of cadre across the province. Officials were instructed to promptly hold discussions with teachers’ trade unions regarding this policy and to take swift action to implement teacher transfers for the following year through the new policy framework.

The Governor also instructed that the personal files of teachers and principals should not be left pending without being updated until they apply for retirement, and that these files must be updated and regularized in a timely manner. He further gave a firm directive that no one’s retirement should be delayed due to pending inquiries, and that all such inquiries must be concluded swiftly.

Highlighting the critical role of Zonal Education Directors in administrative functions, the Governor emphasized that they must make decisions with confidence and implement them appropriately. He explained with practical examples that many internal issues can be avoided through effective performance. He also noted that each zone should identify and honour teachers and principals who perform outstandingly.

The meeting was informed that cultural festivals organized through the Department of Cultural Affairs are planned to be completed at the Divisional Secretariat level by the end of June, at the district level by the end of July, and at the provincial level by the end of August.

Discussion was also held, with the participation of representatives from ‘Aero Wings Aeronautical Club’, an organization providing students with education in aviation and aerospace technology. The meeting explored ways to create awareness among students about opportunities in the civil aviation sector and to take them on field visits and exhibitions. Since the club has already been established at the school level at Vavuniya Irampaikulam Girls’ College, the Governor requested that arrangements be made to provide awareness about this to students at other schools in the province as well.

A special discussion was also held on increasing the pass rates in the Physical Science and Biology streams at the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, and on raising the number of students selected to universities on a ‘merit’ basis. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Vavuniya, the Dean of the Faculty of Science of the University of Jaffna, and school principals participated in this discussion.

It was pointed out that the failure to complete syllabi for Advanced Level students on time is a major setback. Confidence was expressed that by rectifying this and by calculating and publishing the ‘Z’ score for students alongside their final term examination results, achievement levels can be improved. The Governor directed education officials to take follow up action in this regard.

Senior officials including the Northern Province Chief Secretary, Secretary to the Governor, Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Education, Provincial Director of Education, Provincial Director of the Sports Department, Assistant Director of the Cultural Affairs Unit, Zonal Education Directors from all zones in the Northern Province participated in this discussion.

The Northern Province Governor, N. Vethanayahan, stated that the investigation report on the alleged fraud in previous pond renovation projects in the Mannar District has been forwarded to the Hon. Minister of Public Security, with a request to refer the matter to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (CID). He added that further action is being taken promptly in this regard.

The Mannar District Coordination Committee meeting was held on Wednesday morning (29 April 2026) at the District Secretariat Auditorium. The session commenced with a welcome address by District Secretary K. Kanakeswaran and was presided over by Upali Samarasinghe, Chairman of the District Coordination Committee and Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperatives.

Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe, who presided over the meeting, expressed concern over the unsatisfactory pace of project implementation. “In particular, road development works are not progressing as expected. Funds allocated for national schools have also not been utilized on time. Despite adequate allocations being released by the Treasury, projects remain incomplete within the stipulated timeframe, with officials continuing to offer excuses,” he stated.

“I serve as the Chairman of the District Coordination Committees for Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, and Mannar. In the Mannar District, certain officials continue to function as they did prior to our assuming office in 2024. They maintain links with former politicians, disregard the directives issued here, and fail to work toward the development of the people. These connections must be severed immediately. We are fully aware of what is taking place,” he said, issuing a stern warning to the officials.

Following this, new projects were presented for approval by the District Coordination Committee. Extensive deliberations were held, and decisions were made on granting approvals for tourism development initiatives, playground reconstruction, the Praja Shakti project, projects under the diversified budget, demarcation of landing sites and boundaries, pond rehabilitation under the “SARP” project, initiatives of the Ministry of Transport, and school development projects.

Furthermore, the progress of ongoing development projects in Mannar, along with the current status of decisions made at the previous Coordination Committee meeting, was reviewed.

The meeting paid special attention to the progress of the investigation committee appointed in line with a previous resolution of the Mannar District Coordination Committee, and a request was made to initiate an inquiry into the Kooraikulam issue.

Despite a special meeting having been convened on sand mining, the chairpersons of the local government councils pointed out that the related issues still persist.

Due to time constraints, several agenda items were deferred at today’s meeting. It was therefore decided to convene a special Coordination Committee meeting next month to further examine other key issues, including the sand mining issue.

The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament M. Jagatheeswaran, Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Kadhar Mastan, and T. Ravikaran, along with chairmen of local government authorities, secretaries of Northern Provincial Ministries, the Deputy Chief Secretary (Administration), provincial department directors, Provincial Commissioners, heads of central government departments, and representatives of the security forces and civil society organizations, among others.

Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, has issued orders to take strict action based on the inquiry report of a retired judge, regarding alleged administrative irregularities and financial misconduct at the Vavuniya Municipal Council.

In line with the Governor’s instructions to prevent the misuse of public funds, the Commissioner of Local Government has issued a directive to the Commissioner of the Vavuniya Municipal Council, ordering the immediate suspension of payments for disputed projects and the discontinuation of illegal tax collections.

A retired District Judge, Kandaiah Ariyanayakam, had been appointed as a one man inquiry commission through a special gazette notification by the Hon. Governor, to thoroughly investigate the administrative irregularities, abuse of power, and misconduct in the desilting of the sewage drain at the Vavuniya Municipal Council.

Based on the detailed report and recommendations of this inquiry commission, the Hon. Governor has ordered the immediate *implementation of the following measures:*

Thirunavatkulam Sewage Canal Irregularities and Payment Suspension:

The inquiry has confirmed that all actions taken in connection with the desilting project of the Thirunavatkulam main sewage canal were carried out in violation of legal provisions. The inquiry report further noted that the documents submitted claiming payment for the said work are unreliable, and that the project was undertaken based on an individual’s personal preference rather than a unanimous council resolution. Accordingly, the Governor has categorically ordered that no payment for this illegal project shall be made from the Municipal Council’s funds.

Illegal Land Allocation, Administrative Deficiencies, and Corrective Recommendations:
The inquiry has confirmed that land owned by the Municipal Council, located in front of the Vavuniya Police Station, was distributed to traders without following legal regulations and procedures. Serious violations were noted, including failure to obtain ministerial approval, action taken without a council resolution, non-compliance with state procurement procedures, and allocation of land without formal agreements.

In response, the inquiry report has put forward the following recommendations:
• Procedures related to illegally allocated land portions must be reviewed.
• All land allocation activities must be carried out solely in accordance with legal regulations and council resolutions.
• If affected traders need to be relocated, alternative lands must be provided on a priority basis and through lawful means.
• All agreements must be legally formalised with the signatures of the relevant authorities.
• Revenue due to the Municipal Council must be properly assessed and collected.
Furthermore, due to the above irregularities, instructions have also been issued to immediately halt the collection of business taxes from traders occupying illegally allocated land areas.

In accordance with these orders from the Hon. Governor, the Northern Province Commissioner of Local Government, S. Sutharsan, has today (28 April 2026) issued a special written directive to the Commissioner of the Vavuniya Municipal Council.

Accordingly, a deadline has been set by the Commissioner of Local Government for the Commissioner of the Vavuniya Municipal Council to immediately implement the orders issued by the Hon. Governor and to submit a comprehensive report on the actions taken within two weeks.

Hon. Governor of Northern Province N. Vethanayahan stated that delays or negligence by officials in converting government allocated funds into actionable projects within the stipulated timeframe, and delivering them to the public, lead to a loss of public confidence in the government.

The progress review meeting of the 2026 annual development programmes of the Provincial Ministry of Women Affairs, Rehabilitation, Social Services, Cooperatives, Food Supply and Distribution, Industries, Entrepreneurship Development, and Trade and Commerce of the Northern Provincial Council was held this evening – on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, at the Governor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor.

“The government allocates substantial funds, yet due to delays or negligence in implementation by officials, a false impression is created among the public that the government is doing nothing. Officials serving under our provincial administration must ensure that such situations do not arise,” the Governor instructed.

Through the Provincial Department of Social Services, 33 projects are to be implemented this year with an allocation of Rs. 226 million. The Governor directed that the department must maintain a comprehensive primary registry of persons with disabilities in the Northern Province and ensure that their needs are addressed on a priority basis.

Matters relating to the provision of livelihood assistance under the Ministry of Women Affairs were also discussed.

An allocation of Rs. 151 million has been made to the Provincial Department of Industries. The meeting included a detailed review of the current progress of projects already initiated under programs aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs.

Projects implemented under the Provincial Department of Cooperatives were also reviewed. Taking into account the transportation needs of the people of Delft, the Governor instructed that the renovation work of the passenger vessel “Samuthira Deva,” allocated Rs. 2.614 million, be expedited.

Issues faced by Palmyrah and Coconut Resource Cooperative Societies, as well as matters related to the Excise Department, were also discussed in detail.

The Governor further instructed that certain projects be reconsidered.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, the Governor’s Secretary, the Ministry Secretary, Deputy Chief Secretaries, the Commissioner of Cooperative Development, the Director of the Department of Industries, the Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services, the Secretary of the Cooperative Employees Commission, and Assistant Commissioners of Cooperative Development from each district.

“If I maintained deals with mafias, complied with the demands of fraudsters, listened to the personal likes and dislikes of certain influential individuals, or granted transfers according to their wishes, many would praise me as a good Governor. However, if I set all that aside and do what is right, I will be criticized. You too are about to work in such a challenging environment. Regardless of what anyone says, you must always act in the best interests of the people and do what is right. We will always stand by those who act with integrity,” stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.

He made these remarks while addressing newly appointed officers at a special ceremony held this morning – on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, at the Chief Secretary’s Auditorium of the Northern Provincial Council. The event, organized by the Office of the Deputy Chief Secretary – Administration, was held to issue the appointment letters for combined service positions in the Northern Provincial Public Service, with the Governor attending as the Chief Guest.

In his address, he further stated:
“These appointments are not given merely to fill vacancies, but to serve the people. There are two types of officers in public service. One group looks for ways to dismiss and delay the public who come seeking services. The other group is committed to serving the public in any possible way. You must belong to this second category.

If Hon. Minister R. Chandrasekhar or Hon. Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe had wished, they could have submitted lists of their supporters and requested that jobs be given to them. But they did not do so. It is because this entire process was carried out independently, without any political interference, that all of you have been appointed today based on merit. You all know what happened in the past.

Approvals for these appointments were not easily obtained. Recruitment approval for drivers and minor staff was secured through the special efforts of Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake. In addition, Minister R. Chandrasekar and Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe made significant contributions in advancing this process continuously. We remember them with gratitude.

The government led by His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is being criticized by many precisely because it acts with integrity. Nevertheless, the government will always support those who act honestly. In the past, appointments were made on an island-wide basis. Now, they are being given within the Northern Province. Therefore, you must be prepared to serve anywhere within the Northern Province. Through your service, the people must feel a positive change.”

Speaking at the event, Hon. Minister R. Chandrasekar, who is also the Chairman of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee, stated that previous governments gradually weakened the state machinery by failing to make appointments. However, since coming to power, the National People’s Power government has been strengthening the public service by appointing qualified individuals.

Hon. Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe, who is also the Chairman of the Vanni Electoral District Coordinating Committee, further stated: “At no stage did we interfere by asking that our preferred individuals be appointed. The entire process was carried out completely independently by officials.”

At the event, appointment letters were officially issued to fill vacancies in departments under the Northern Provincial Council as follows: 37 Technical Officers, 14 Management Service Officers, and 44 Office Staff Assistants.

The event was attended by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, Secretaries of Northern Provincial Ministries, Deputy Chief Secretaries, and several senior officials, including S. Kapilan, Coordinator to the Chairman of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee.

The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, briefed the Hon. Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, in detail on the development projects currently underway in the Northern Province, as well as those planned for future implementation.

A special discussion between the Governor and the Deputy Minister was held at the Northern Province Governor’s Secretariat on Friday night, 24 April 2026.

The Governor pointed out that the infrastructure needs of the war affected Northern Province remain significant. In particular, he noted that roads connecting villages in the Vanni region are in a very poor condition, and strongly emphasized to the Deputy Minister the need for additional financial allocations beyond the regular budgetary provisions to expedite their reconstruction and improve transportation for the public.

The need to reduce travel time between Colombo and Jaffna was discussed in detail. The planned expressway projects and their feasibility were also examined. In addition, the Deputy Minister and the Governor explored alternative initiatives, beyond the expressway, to further reduce travel time.

The Deputy Minister briefed the Governor on the special financial allocations for reconstruction work related to the recent “Dithwa” disaster. He also emphasized the importance of completing projects funded under this allocation within the year, without delay.

Jaffna District Hon. Member of Parliament K. Ilankumaran, the Secretary to the Governor, the Coordinator to the Chairman of the Jaffna District Coordination Committee, and several others participated in the special discussion.

A special discussion on the ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment’ being carried out by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, in support of renewable energy development in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, was held this Friday evening (24 April 2026) at the Governor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan.

Representatives from Japan’s Oriental Consultants Global and Sri Lanka’s Consulting Engineers and Architects Associated, the firms conducting this study and planning process with technical and financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank presented detailed explanations to the Governor.

The Hon. Governor recalled that when producing renewable energy, particularly in the implementation of wind power projects, it is essential that the public be clearly informed through scientific studies. He recollected the public opposition that arose when wind turbines were being installed in the Maravanpulavu area of the Thenmaradchi region during his tenure as Jaffna District Secretary.The Governor emphasized that when the public raises concerns in the absence of clear scientific study findings, professors and subject matter experts must be engaged to provide explanations in a manner the public can understand. He also stressed that officials must ensure that no form of development causes harm to the local population.

The Northern Province holds vast potential for electricity generation through solar, wind, and ocean wave energy. These study activities are critically important for achieving the national target of obtaining 70% of total electricity production from renewable energy sources by the year 2030. Feasibility studies are currently being conducted in four districts Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Mullaitivu excluding Vavuniya.

The Hon. Governor further emphasized that renewable energy projects are essential as they are ‘environmentally friendly.’

Participating in this discussion were Assistant Directors of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, Engineer Chathura Wanniyarachchi and Palitha Abeyaratne, the Secretary to the Governor Sivabathasundaram Sathiyaseelan, and representatives from international and local advisory committees.