The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, stated that by properly utilizing the resources of the Northern Province and creating the necessary facilities, the province’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could be increased to more than 10 percent.

He made these remarks while delivering the keynote address as the Chief Guest at the Second Business Excellence Awards Ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council to honor small and medium-scale entrepreneurs. The event was held successfully yesterday – on Friday (19 June 2026), at J Hotel in Jaffna.

Further addressing the gathering, the Governor stated:
“Historically, the Northern Province has been one of Sri Lanka’s economic centers. The responsibility of restoring that prominence lies with all of us. If we consider our province, agriculture and fisheries are two major sectors that generate significant levels of production. However, the lack of adequate processing facilities and cold-storage warehouses within the province remains a major setback.

Due to these shortcomings, farmers engaged in paddy and onion cultivation are often unable to obtain fair prices for their produce and continue to face various challenges in marketing their products.

Despite these obstacles, the support and contribution of the Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council in identifying more than fifty entrepreneurs and helping take their products to international export markets is highly commendable. In particular, the Council’s dedicated efforts to empower women and integrate them into the development process deserve special recognition.

Sustainable development can only be achieved through knowledge-sharing initiatives such as developing local capacities, conducting practical training workshops to improve quality standards, and creating market opportunities to showcase regional products internationally.

Those of you who have received awards at this event are the architects of our economic future. You should not remain limited to small-scale operations; rather, you should grow into some of the country’s leading exporters in the years ahead.”

The event was attended by M.H.A. Muhammad Hamees, Chairman of the Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council, members of its Executive Committee, entrepreneurs, the Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Governor of the Eastern Province, the District Secretaries of Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Mannar, as well as members of the public.

A historic initiative to make available for public use several million rupees’ worth of advanced equipment for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment, which had remained unused at the Women’s Health Care and Specialized Maternity Treatment Centre built at the Kilinochchi District General Hospital with financial assistance from the Government of the Netherlands, was officially inaugurated today – on Friday 19 June 2026, through the direct intervention of the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.

A notable feature of this development is that Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and IVF treatment facilities have now been established and commenced in a government hospital in Sri Lanka.

This specialized care centre was established at the Kilinochchi Hospital under a project to strengthen healthcare services in the Northern Province, with assistance from the Government of the Netherlands. State of the art equipment for IVF treatment had also been provided. However, due to various reasons, these facilities remained unused for a prolonged period.

Recognizing this issue, Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan gave special attention to the matter last year and initiated high level discussions aimed at bringing these advanced facilities into operation. As a result, a special agreement was signed between the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Jaffna and the Northern Provincial Council. Consequently, this service was officially handed over for public use today – on Friday (19 June 2026).

As the first phase of the project, four women who successfully met the required medical, physical, and psychological criteria following various assessments and examinations have been selected. IVF treatment for these women commenced today at the Kilinochchi District Hospital and is being provided completely free of charge.

This major collaborative project is being implemented with the joint contribution of the Provincial Ministry of Health – Northern Province, the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Jaffna, the Kilinochchi District Hospital, and the Kilinochchi District Patients’ Welfare Association.

In particular, the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Surgery, and Community and Family Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, have provided their academic and clinical expertise to the project. Furthermore, the Canada Jaffna Medical Faculty Alumni Association has generously provided financial assistance and sponsorships to support the temporary human resources required for the successful implementation of the project.

The introduction of this special service marks a significant milestone in the provincial healthcare sector and offers a rare opportunity for couples in the region facing fertility challenges to receive advanced treatment completely free of charge.

Meanwhile, it is also noteworthy that an additional 58 staff positions have been approved for the Kilinochchi District Hospital by the Department of Management Services.

“We have now reached the midpoint of the year. Therefore, all projects must be completed expeditiously within the remaining months. To achieve this, everyone should work in coordination and provide their full cooperation to move the work forward,” stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.

The Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting was held today – Friday morning, 19 June 2026, at the Jaffna District Secretariat Auditorium under the chairmanship of Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekhar, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources and Chairman of the Coordinating Committee, with the participation of Hon. N. Vethanayahan, Governor of the Northern Province and Co-Chairman of the Coordinating Committee.

Following the welcome address delivered by Jaffna District Secretary M. Piirateepan, the Governor of the Northern Province delivered his co-chairman’s address. During his remarks, he stated, “Everyone spends their valuable time to participate in meetings such as these. Therefore, all concerned should extend their full cooperation to ensure that this meeting is conducted efficiently and in a constructive manner.”

Thereafter, the Chairman of the Coordinating Committee and Minister, Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekhar, in his address, emphasized that “Everyone present here is educated. Therefore, all participants should treat one another with mutual respect.” He also expressed his appreciation for the Road Development Department coming under the Northern Provincial Council, noting that it has been implementing its programmes very rapidly and has even been proactively requesting and undertaking additional work.

A number of matters were discussed at this District Coordinating Committee meeting.

The progress of projects being implemented during this year was reviewed individually. In particular, projects implemented by the District Secretariat, projects undertaken by the Central Government, and projects implemented by the Provincial Council were separately analyzed.

Matters relating to resettlement were discussed in detail over an extended period during the meeting.

The Governor emphasized that certificates of conformity (occupancy certificate for buildings) should be made mandatory not only for private buildings but also for government buildings and government departments.

The meeting also reviewed the current progress of decisions taken at the previous District Coordinating Committee meeting, as well as matters submitted to the District Committee through Divisional Coordinating Committee meetings. In addition, due attention was given to requests put forward by Members of Parliament and the Speaker of the Provincial Council.

Among those who attended the meeting were Members of Parliament Hon. Kajenthirakumar Ponnampalam, Hon. Shanmuganathan Sribhavanantharajah, Hon. Jayachandramoorthy Rajeevan, and Hon. Archchuna Ramanathan; Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council Hon. C.V.K. Sivagnanam; the Hon. Deputy Mayor of the Jaffna Municipal Council; Hon. Chairmen of Urban and Pradeshiya Sabhas; the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province; the Commander of the Northern Naval Area; the Deputy Inspector General of Police; senior officers of the armed forces; secretaries of provincial ministries; divisional secretaries; heads of departments; representatives of government and non-governmental organizations; and representatives of community-based organizations.

As a result of the continuous efforts and strong representations made by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, the Department of Management Services has officially approved the creation of 58 new staff positions for Kilinochchi District General Hospital.

Following the Governor’s repeated requests regarding staffing vacancies and workforce requirements in the Northern Province, continuous follow-up actions were undertaken by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province and other relevant officials. As a result, senior officials of the Department of Management Services visited the Northern Province and conducted on-site staffing reviews for the first time in approximately 13 years.

These special field reviews were carried out from 19 January to 23 January 2026. Taking into consideration the observations made during the review and the essential service requirements identified, approval has now been granted for this increase in staffing.

Under the project to strengthen healthcare services in the Northern Province, funded by the Government of the Netherlands, a new Women’s Healthcare and Specialized Maternity Care Centre was constructed at Kilinochchi District General Hospital. However, due to a severe shortage of staff, the facility had been unable to operate at its full capacity and had faced significant challenges since its establishment.

Through the Governor’s dedicated efforts, the newly approved staff positions now provide a permanent solution that will enable the women’s specialty hospital to function fully and be brought into effective service for the public.

An official approval letter regarding the new staffing allocation was issued on 18 June 2026 by the Director General of the Department of Management Services, which functions under the General Treasury of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and was forwarded to the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province.

Accordingly, the total approved staff cadre of Kilinochchi District General Hospital has been increased from 325 to 383 positions. In its letter, the Department of Management Services has also instructed that recruitment for these newly approved positions be initiated immediately in accordance with the relevant approved service establishment standards.

Northern Province Governor’s Media Division
19.06.2026

Special discussions on improving the infrastructure of Manipay Divisional Hospital and Mallavi Base Hospital, as well as addressing the staff shortages prevailing at these institutions, were held yesterday – on Tuesday, 18 June 2026, at the Governor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.

During these meetings, the requests submitted by the respective Hospital Welfare Societies were examined in detail, and several favorable decisions were reached to address the issues raised.

*Improvement of Manipay Divisional Hospital*
Although Manipay Divisional Hospital serves a large number of patients, its Hospital Welfare Society informed the Governor that the institution continues to operate with several long-standing deficiencies. In particular, shortages of nurses, medical laboratory technologists, minor staff, and doctors, as well as the lack of a fully equipped outpatient department and accommodation facilities, were highlighted among the society’s key concerns.

Addressing these issues, the Governor explained that staffing approval for nurses has not yet been granted for the 33 divisional hospitals in the Northern Province. The matter has already been brought to the attention of the Department of Management Services, which has assured that it will be given favorable consideration. Based on the current patient intake at Manipay Hospital, a request has been submitted for six additional nurses.

The Governor further noted that although the hospital is designated as a Grade C institution, it does not yet possess all the facilities required for that category. Therefore, priority should be given to providing the necessary facilities and ensuring the hospital functions properly before considering an upgrade in status. He also pointed out that transferring staff from another hospital would negatively affect services at that institution; however, temporary alternative arrangements could be made to address the immediate needs.

In addition, the Governor requested Hon. Member of Parliament Sribhavanandarajah, who attended the meeting, to seek a special financial allocation from the relevant ministry for the hospital’s building requirements. Other needs discussed included a roof of staircase for the medical laboratory, a scanner, CCTV facilities, and a solar power system.

*Improvement of Mallavi Base Hospital*
The urgent and essential requirements of Mallavi Base Hospital, as presented by its Hospital Welfare Society, were also discussed during the meeting. Particular attention was given to securing Rs. 8 million to relocate the laboratory due to the planned expansion of the dialysis unit, and Rs. 2.5 million for the construction of covered walkways for the male and female wards. The Governor expressed confidence that the necessary funding allocations could be provided in the future.

The discussions also covered:
The appointment of a medical laboratory technologist on a contract basis., Obtaining a supervision report from the Provincial Buildings Department engineer regarding roof leakages in the Outpatient Department and Emergency Treatment Unit, followed by necessary repairs. and Securing tax exemptions from the central government for two new dialysis machines to be introduced to the hospital.

The discussions were attended by Hon. Sribhavanandarajah, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Sandilipay Divisional Coordinating Committee, the Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Health, the Divisional Secretary of Sandilipay, the Provincial Director of Health Services, the Deputy Provincial Director of Health Services and the Medical Officers in Charge of the respective hospitals, among others.

Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan of the Northern Province has called the LANTERN (Land and Trust-Building Engagement) project, a land and trust-building initiative being implemented in the Northern and Eastern Provinces with the support of the United Nations a great boon for the Northern Province, and has urged that the project be implemented without delay.

A special discussion on the LANTERN project, which aims to resolve longstanding land issues in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, was held via Zoom technology on Thursday (18 June 2026).

The project is to be carried out as a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation.

With a funding of approximately 3 million US dollars, the project is to be implemented over a period of 24 months. The initial targets set under this project include the release of 1,000 acres of land by the government and the issuance of formal land title certificates to 1,000 individuals. Through this, approximately 1,500 families are expected to benefit directly, and up to 200,000 people indirectly.

The primary objectives of the project are to strengthen trust between the government and communities by resolving land disputes, and to accelerate land release, resettlement, and community integration.

Sharing his views at the discussion, Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan stated: “The land issue is the foremost problem in the Northern Province. Due to the war, civilians and government departments have lost land-related documents entirely, and this problem continues to persist. Under such circumstances, this project is extremely necessary for our province and must be taken forward without delay. Mullaitivu and Mannar districts in our province have been selected for the pilot project. It would be excellent if Kilinochchi District could also be included in the pilot scheme. Furthermore, providing the necessary training to land registry officials and strengthening that department would greatly benefit our province in the future.”

During the discussion, detailed deliberations took place between representatives of the Ministry and representatives of UN agencies on how to effectively handle the project and address practical challenges.

The special meeting was attended by several senior officials including officials from the Central Land Registry, officials from the Central Ministry of Agriculture, District Secretaries of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, the Secretary to the Eastern Province Governor, and the Secretary to the Northern Province Governor.

“The mindset that doing nothing brings no problems, whereas taking initiative and working hard only creates more difficulties, appears to be gaining ground among certain officials today. This ‘No Work – No Problem; More Work – More Problem’ attitude is preventing the proper and productive use of the resources and opportunities available to our society,” said the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.

The ‘Jeyaratnam Fine Art Studio’, established to promote and enhance the aesthetic talents of the students of Mallavi Central College, Mullaitivu, was ceremonially opened and handed over to the students by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, on Thursday morning (18 June 2026).
The Governor made these remarks while attending the event as the Chief Guest and addressing the students.

The Fine Art Studio was constructed with the generous financial support of the distinguished philanthropist and benefactor, Dr. Vimal Jayaratnam, through the Jayaratnam Trust Fund. Designed as a centre for artistic learning and creativity, this two-storey facility houses dedicated classrooms for the four disciplines of visual arts, music, dance, and drama.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the college premises under the chairmanship of the Principal, T. Tharmaraja, was attended by the Northern Provincial Director of Education, Y. Jayachandran, and the Thunukkai Zonal Director of Education, Mrs. Annamalar Surendran, as Special Guests. Dr. Vimal Jayaratnam, whose generous contribution made the project possible, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

He dignitaries were ceremonially received with a school band procession, and the proceedings commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag and the School Flag. The Hon. Governor unveiled the name plaque of the newly constructed building, while Dr. Vimal Jayaratnam officially inaugurated the Fine Art Studio by cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Subsequently, during a special stage programme, Dr. Vimal Jayaratnam, who had previously funded the construction of boys’ and girls’ hostels for the school and has now generously supported the establishment of the Fine Art Studio, was honoured with the prestigious “Vazhum Vallal” (Living Philanthropist) Award by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and student welfare.

The occasion was further enriched by a special tribute song performed by the students in honour of Dr. Vimal Jayaratnam. The song had been composed by Karunguyil, the renowned singer and actor from Tamil Nadu, who had earlier visited the school and conducted training sessions in folk music for the students.

Continuing his address, the Hon. Governor stated:
“It is common for a school’s alumni to contribute towards its development. However, Dr. Vimal Jayaratnam, who funded the construction of the hostel buildings and the Fine Art Studio for this school, has no connection with either this institution or even this district. Yet, he went to the extent of selling his own house to carry out this noble service. It is often said that those who have wealth lack compassion, while those who have compassion lack wealth. Dr. Vimal Jayaratnam is a rare individual who possesses both. Words alone are insufficient to express our appreciation for his sacrifice and generosity.

In his speech, Dr. Vimal Jayaratnam mentioned that many of the projects he undertook here were inspired by the former Principal of this school, Mr. Yesudhanandan. That is absolutely true. Mr. Yesudhanandan provided exemplary leadership to this institution. Had he thought, ‘Why should I take on this additional responsibility?’ these major projects would never have materialised. That is why I have repeatedly emphasised that everything depends on leadership.”

“Today, a growing concern among some officials is that making full use of the opportunities available to us may bring unnecessary problems. As a result, many of the benefits and opportunities that should reach the people often fail to do so.

Therefore, I urge all of you students to cultivate strong leadership qualities and a well-rounded personality. Do not limit yourselves to academic excellence alone; develop yourselves into individuals capable of serving society. Society will always honour and remember those who dedicate themselves to its betterment. No matter how high a position one may hold, it has little value if it is not used for the benefit of the community.

The Fine Art Studio inaugurated today will not merely support your academic pursuits. It will also provide a platform for you to discover, develop, and showcase your talents through co-curricular and creative activities, enabling you to realise your full potential,” he said.

The event was attended by the Honorary Chairman of the Thunukkai Pradeshiya Sabha, former principals of the school, principals of neighbouring schools, members of the teaching staff, students, parents, alumni, and a large gathering of well-wishers.

The progress review meeting of the Northern Province Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs, Sports, and Youth Affairs was held today – on Wednesday evening (17 June 2026), at the Governor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.

During the meeting, progress on matters discussed at the previous meeting and the various programmes being implemented under the Ministry of Education were reviewed. In addition, the progress of projects being carried out through the Provincial Departments of Education, Sports, and Cultural Affairs with funding from various sources was examined in detail. The Governor provided instructions to expedite development projects and offered guidance on addressing challenges encountered in the field during their implementation.

The Governor was informed that various transfer policies relating to the Department of Education – Northern Province had been prepared and submitted, and that observations and comments made by trade unions regarding these policies had been forwarded to the Provincial Public Service Commission.

The meeting was also briefed on applications received from teachers who had been teaching subjects other than those for which they were originally appointed and who had been given the opportunity to switch to their appointed subjects, as well as on the next steps to be taken in this regard.

While it has been pointed out that teacher deployment rationalization within the educational zones had not yet been fully completed. However, Officials assured the meeting that the process was continuing and would be finalized in the near future.

The Provincial Chief Secretary provided appropriate guidance regarding action to be taken against teachers who, despite having received transfers and being released from their previous schools, had not yet reported for duty at their new workplaces.

The Governor also issued instructions to Zonal Directors of Education on the areas requiring special attention in implementing the school meal program for students.

The Governor observed that the level of interest shown by schools this year in the online educational activities being conducted by Jaffna Hindu College was lower than that seen last year. He therefore instructed the Zonal Directors of Education to provide the necessary guidance to schools within their respective zones and encourage their participation in the program.

Among those who attended the progress review meeting were the Chief Secretary of Northern Province, the Secretary to the Governor, the Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Education, Deputy Chief Secretaries (Administration, Planning, Finance, and Engineering Services), the Provincial Director of Education – Northern Province, the Provincial Director of Sports, the Assistant Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Director of the Provincial Buildings Department, Zonal Directors of Education, District Sports and Cultural Officers and several other officials.