Jaffna and the entire Northern Province are today moving toward a new transformation. However, we still face several challenges to achieve complete success in the tourism sector, particularly in improving services for inbound tourists, said the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) organized a special discussion today – on Tuesday 25 November 2025, with stakeholders in the tourism industry of the Northern Region at the Jetwing Hotel in Jaffna.
Delivering the keynote address as the chief guest at the event, the Governor made the above remarks. He further stated:
“In our region, high-quality accommodation facilities that meet international standards are still very limited. Tourists expect value for the money they spend, and we must ensure that standard is delivered. Outside Jaffna city, in places tourists visit, high-speed internet, reliable electricity supply, and proper waste management facilities still need significant improvement.
The expansion of Palaly Airport and ferry services with India is encouraging. However, the long travel time from Colombo to Jaffna causes inconvenience to tourists. Therefore, we have put forward a request to commence domestic flight services from Katunayake to Palaly. Additionally, it is essential to develop road transport and public transportation services that allow tourists to travel comfortably within the province.
There is a shortage of professionally trained chefs, receptionists, and managers in the hospitality sector. Similarly, there is a high demand for professional tourist guides who can handle not only English but also several other international languages. Lack of adequate training remains a barrier to providing consistent high-quality service across all tourist destinations and accommodations.
We are still primarily focusing tourism promotion only on Nallur, Jaffna Fort, and the islands. We need to go beyond this and create new experiences such as eco-tourism, cultural workshops, bird watching, and culinary tourism.
The Northern Province has great potential for spiritual tourism. In particular, efforts are being made by the Mannar District Secretary to create opportunities to visit Ram Sethu Bridge in Mannar, and there is a high likelihood of success in this regard.
Most tourism packages currently center only on Jaffna. We need to design a comprehensive tourism plan that includes the districts of Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya.
Many historical and cultural sites remain either unidentified or lack basic facilities. The absence of proper toilets at tourist sites, or the poor hygienic condition of existing ones, is a major drawback. We have initiated efforts through local authorities to address these issues.
Collaboration among the Northern Province Tourism Bureau, local authorities, and the private sector will help properly allocate resources and raise standards. To attract the right investments and improve services, we need accurate data on tourist arrivals. As the provincial administration, you will always have our full support,” he said.
The discussion was attended by the President and Secretary of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, Professor Dr. Sivesan Sivanandamoorthy – Programme Director of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Jaffna, members of the Northern Province Tourism Bureau, and many others connected with the tourism industry.
