The Northern Province is a very safe and peaceful region for foreign tourists to spend their holidays happily. Therefore, assistance should be extended to redirect the arrival of Russian tourists to the North, and Russian investors should be encouraged to invest in the investment opportunities available in our province, stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, to the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Levan S. Dzhagaryan.
The Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Levan S. Dzhagaryan, met and held discussions with the Northern Province Governor today – on Monday 05January 2026 evening, at the Governor’s Secretariat.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the Governor expressed his pleasure that, after several decades, a Russian Ambassador had undertaken an official visit to Jaffna.
During the meeting, the Russian Ambassador stated: “A large number of Russian tourists visit Sri Lanka, and there is potential for this number to increase further in the future. However, the arrival of Russian tourists to the Northern Province remains very low. Therefore, it would be beneficial for the Northern Province to promote its tourism initiatives in a manner that attracts Russian travelers who visit other parts of Sri Lanka.”
In response, the Governor noted that due to direct flight services with India, a large number of Indian tourists visit the Northern Province. The Northern Province provides a very safe environment for tourists to stay. He requested that this be conveyed to the Russian public in order to help increase their visits.
The Governor also urged that Russian investors be encouraged to invest in the Northern Province to support its economic development.
Furthermore, the Ambassador explained the scholarship and higher education opportunities offered to Sri Lankans through the Russian Cultural Centre and requested that students from the Northern Province also make use of these opportunities.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Governor – Northern Province, Coordinating secretaries to the Governor and other officials.
