Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan emphasized that an immediate solution must be found to the shortage of technical staff, which is currently hindering the timely completion of road and other development works in the Northern Province, works that have increased to an unprecedented scale, and preventing the allocated funds from being fully and properly delivered to the people in a quality manner.
A special discussion on resolving the technical and practical challenges affecting road development works being simultaneously undertaken under various funding sources in the Northern Province was held at the Governor’s Secretariat, co-chaired by Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources R. Chandrasekhar and Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan.
The discussion noted that, with the development funds and workload allocated to the Northern Province for the year 2026 having increased to an unprecedented level, the local government technical staff currently face a workload valued at approximately Rs. 7,006 million spread across 1,034 projects, including work under several new funding schemes.
However, it was pointed out that due to the lack of adequate technical staff to match this large workload, delays are occurring at several stages, including preparation of estimates, the tendering process, supervision, certification, and completion of works. It was further stated that of the 141 currently approved technical positions, only 129 are filled, with an additional 194 technical staff required. It was also noted that the resignation of some technical officers in the Vanni region has further complicated the situation.
It was pointed out that carrying out continuous site supervision is also difficult since many projects are being undertaken simultaneously, and it was emphasized that the necessary monitoring and technical oversight must be ensured so that the quality of no project is affected.
Meanwhile, the Governor stressed the need to immediately secure the human resources required to fully convert the funds received from various financial sources into development work without having to return them. He also pointed out that if the shortage of technical staff and difficulties in procuring materials continue, it would become challenging to make effective and timely use of the available funds.
Speaking on the matter, Hon. Minister R. Chandrasekhar stated that central and provincial institutions must work together, setting aside institutional differences, to develop solutions. He also said that the decisions taken at this discussion would be swiftly brought to the national level for necessary action.
Following this, attention was focused on pursuing two urgent solutions: temporarily sharing technical staff between government institutions, and providing a time-bound special incentive allowance to current technical staff who take on additional responsibilities. A proposal was also put forward to provide eligible staff with a special incentive equivalent to one-third of their basic salary.
Agreement was reached to carry out upcoming works in the Jaffna District through the technical staff of the District Secretariat and Divisional Secretariats, and to temporarily hand over certain provincially owned roads to the relevant institutions for the work to be carried out, with responsibility to be reassumed afterward.
It was also decided to expedite works to be carried out under funds already allocated in other districts, and to make use of the technical cooperation of the Provincial Road Development Department and the Provincial Irrigation Department, which operate with technical staff.
With further development funds expected to be received by the Northern Province in the future, attention was also given to establishing a permanent technical human resources plan to prevent such challenges from recurring. It was proposed that the relevant ministries and the Treasury urgently study and take action on the special technical incentive scheme and temporary staff-sharing arrangement required for this purpose.
The Governor emphasized that the main objective of these efforts is to ensure that development funds allocated for the people are not returned unused, but instead reach the people without delay as quality works and useful infrastructure.
The discussion was attended by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Governor, District Secretaries, the Deputy Chief Secretary – Administration, the Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Local Government, the Commissioner of Department of Local Government – Northern Province, the Provincial Director of Irrigation, the Provincial Director of Road Development, the Engineer of the Department of Local Government, the Private Secretary to the Governor and the Coordinator to the Chairman of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee, among others.
