The research report’s finding that youth in the Northern Province have a higher level of trust in the services provided by local government councils than their counterparts in the Eastern and Western Provinces is a positive development. Emphasizing the importance of preserving this trust, the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, stressed that local government services should be designed and delivered in a manner that further strengthens the confidence of young people and ensures that it is never undermined.
The Northern Province report launch of the study titled “Youth Status Index: Capturing the Needs, Challenges and Opportunities of Youth for Inclusive Governance in Sri Lanka” was held today – on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, at the Conference Hall of the Northern Provincial Local Government Commissioner’s Office in Kaithady.
The study was conducted under the Forum of Federations’ Youth in Local Government Project, with the support of the Government of Canada. The event presented key research findings on the needs, challenges and opportunities faced by youth, with particular focus on their participation in local government governance in the Northern Province.
Speaking at the event, the Governor emphasized that the findings of the survey should not be viewed merely as information, but rather as an important opportunity for local government institutions to critically assess themselves and review the quality and effectiveness of their services and activities.
According to the survey findings, 65 percent of youth expressed confidence in the services provided by local government authorities in the Northern Province, which the Governor described as a significant strength for the local government system. He further emphasized that digitalization will play a crucial role in strengthening this trust and creating greater opportunities for youth to engage in local government activities.
The Governor emphasized that the mayors and chairpersons of local government councils should carefully consider the issues and concerns highlighted in the study and use its findings to develop mechanisms that would further enhance public participation in local government administration. He further stressed that incorporating the needs and expectations of young people into administrative decision-making is an essential component of inclusive and good governance.
Emphasizing the need to improve the quality and standard of services provided to the public by local government authorities, the Governor referred to a distressing experience brought to his attention as an example. He noted that a retired manager who visited a local government council to obtain a service had reportedly been addressed disrespectfully by the relevant official. Citing this incident, the Governor stressed the need for a fundamental change in the culture of public service, emphasizing that every member of the public should be treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.
At the same time, the Governor stated that serious efforts are being made to strengthen local government councils and establish appropriate mechanisms to enable them to provide sand to the public at affordable prices. He further noted that these efforts are being hindered by delays in the actions of certain government departments. Expressing concern that certain irregular practices in some government departments continue despite changes in government, the Governor noted that unnecessary delays are often caused by cumbersome procedures, including repeatedly requesting additional documents from the public at different stages of the approval process. He emphasized that such practices not only cause frustration and inconvenience to the public and government institutions but also undermine the principles of efficient, transparent and fair administration.
Despite these challenges, the Governor emphasized that efforts to build a people centred administration that prioritizes the welfare of the public must continue without interruption. He stressed that the trust placed by the public, particularly young people, in local government institutions must be further strengthened through concrete and meaningful actions.
Based on the findings of the research, the Governor emphasized the need to take practical measures to integrate the voices, needs and expectations of young people into Local Government Administration. He stressed that the need of the hour is to recognize youth not merely as beneficiaries of local government services, but as active and meaningful partners in local governance and decision-making.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Local Government – Northern Province, Hon. Chairmen of Local Government Authorities, professors, council secretaries, and other relevant stakeholders.
