The Northern Province is not just the Jaffna District. It is not feasible to retain all personnel within Jaffna alone. Therefore, staff must be appropriately distributed from the Jaffna District to the other four districts. The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, emphasized the need for this distribution to be carried out in a fair and effective manner.”
A discussion with the Secretaries of the Northern Provincial Ministries and Heads of Departments was held at the Northern Provincial Governor’s Secretariat on Wednesday evening – 22nd October 2025.
Speaking at the outset of the discussion, the Hon. Governor stated that plans for the year 2026 must be prepared within one month. He emphasized that, during the preparation process, Heads of Departments should visit their respective offices directly and assess their requirements accordingly. The Governor further noted that no changes to the plans will be permitted once they have been submitted.
Although livelihood assistance schemes have been implemented in the past, they have not fully achieved their intended objectives. Therefore, additional care and attention are required when formulating new schemes. The Hon. Governor further emphasized that, as similar programs are also being carried out by the Central Government, consultations should be held with the District Secretaries to ensure coordination and avoid duplication.
In addition to the Provincial Development Grant Fund, additional financial resources can be secured through various initiatives, including the Clean Sri Lanka Project. Therefore, Heads of Departments are advised to prepare appropriate plans to access and effectively utilize these funds.
Instead of distributing funds evenly across all districts and regions, greater allocations should be directed to areas with the most significant needs. Accordingly, development plans should be prepared in line with this approach.
The Hon. Governor stated that measures should be taken to provide hazard allowances to teachers and principals serving in the offshore islands, in accordance with the circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs.
During the discussion, Heads of Departments highlighted the challenges encountered in implementing the 2025 projects, particularly the issue of receiving no contractor applications for certain projects when requests for proposals were issued. Possible measures to address and rectify this situation in the coming year were also discussed.
The Hon. Governor emphasized the importance of effective time management across all departments under the Northern Provincial Council, noting that Heads of Departments should lead by example. He further stressed the need to encourage and recognize employees who demonstrate outstanding performance, and to provide them with appropriate honors.
The Hon. Governor stated that employees who have served in the same department for over five years should be transferred. He also emphasized that transfers or disciplinary actions against incompetent department heads or employees must be carried out decisively and without leniency.
The Hon. Governor noted public complaints that local government authorities do not promptly inspect illegal constructions after complaints are made. He added that this delay is causing the public to question the effectiveness of the authorities’ enforcement measures. Meanwhile, the Hon. Governor instructed the Secretaries of the Ministries to take necessary steps to amend the service rules to better align with current requirements when inviting applications for personnel vacancies. He also stressed the importance of regularly updating the personal files of all employees and emphasized that measures should be implemented to ensure employees receive their pensions within one month of retirement.
Meanwhile, the Hon. Governor remarked that certain trade unions are demanding the continuation of past mistakes and have threatened trade union action if attempts are made to rectify these errors. He pointed out that these unions appear unconcerned about the misuse of public tax money. Nonetheless, the Governor emphasized that authorities must take strict measures to enforce necessary changes.
Following this, various issues were discussed by the Ministry Secretaries and Department Heads.
