The sectoral review discussion of the Northern Provincial Local Government Ministry was held this morning (Tuesday, 18.02.2025) at the Governor’s Secretariat, where the Governor made the following remarks:“The budget for this year was presented to Parliament yesterday (Monday) by the Honorable President. Significant funds have been allocated to the Northern Province in various sectors, including a substantial amount for the Northern Provincial Council. The Honorable President also confirmed in his speech that the requested funds have been provided.
It is imperative that we utilize the allocated funds effectively and in full. Our challenge is to ensure timely and efficient use of these resources so that we can seek additional funds when necessary. We have previously faced criticism for not utilizing funds fully. Now that we have received a considerable allocation, we must ensure that it is spent appropriately and efficiently. Various stakeholders, including the media, are closely monitoring our actions, so transparency and accountability are essential.
The Honorable President has also allocated special funds for road development. These funds should not necessarily be distributed equally among all districts. Instead, we must allocate more resources to areas with greater needs. When selecting project sites, instead of focusing solely on Jaffna, we must visit the Vanni region and assess the situation firsthand. Only by witnessing their struggles can we truly understand the hardships faced by the people there.
Implementing and completing these projects will be a challenge, but we must approach them with determination. We should commit ourselves to working tirelessly—day and night—to ensure successful execution. Let us lead by example through our actions.
Furthermore, when awarding contracts for these projects, there must be no corruption or bribery. Every step must be carried out with absolute transparency. This is the fundamental policy of the government.”
Following the Governor’s remarks, Northern Province Chief Secretary E. Ilangovan emphasized that the success of these initiatives depends on the dedication of officials. He urged all departments within the province to collaborate and work diligently to implement and complete the projects effectively.
