Jaffna has its own unique food and distinctive flavours. We welcome tourists to savour that uniqueness. The food festival organised to promote this will not remain merely a celebration, but also serves as an indirect invitation to investors to invest in Jaffna’s tourism sector, stated the Governor of the Northern Province Hon. N. Vethanayahan.
The ‘Visit Jaffna 2026 – Cultural and Food Festival’ organised by the Tourism Development Bureau of the Northern Province commenced successfully this evening (15 August 2026), Saturday, at the Jaffna Muttaveli Grounds. The Governor made these remarks while addressing the festival, which has been organised with the aim of introducing Jaffna’s unique culture, heritage, arts and culinary traditions to local and foreign tourists.
Continuing his address, the Governor noted that the country’s tourism sector has been gradually developing during the tenure of the present government, while the number of tourist arrivals has also been increasing. Alongside this, he stated that many people are showing interest in making investments based on the tourism sector.
The Governor noted that in the past, due to various obstacles and challenges, some investors who had come to Jaffna to make investments had returned without investing, and stated that such obstacles are now gradually being removed. Therefore, he invited more investors to make use of this favourable environment that has emerged and come forward to invest in the Northern Province.
Noting that this food festival provides an excellent opportunity to introduce Jaffna’s traditional food varieties and their health benefits, the Governor stated that everyone who wishes to experience the unique flavours of Jaffna cuisine is welcome.
He noted that over time, many traditional food varieties have been disappearing from our daily lives, and that such events help to reintroduce them and pass them on to the younger generation. The Governor also stated that such events will contribute to attracting more tourists to Jaffna in the future and developing Jaffna’s culinary culture as an important resource of the tourism sector.
Prior to the commencement of the stage events, a cultural procession and a procession of vintage motor vehicles commenced from the Jaffna Public Library premises. They travelled via Hospital Road, Chathira Junction and Kankesanthurai Road before reaching the Muttaveli Grounds.
This was followed by stage events featuring various cultural performances reflecting Jaffna’s heritage and artistic culture. A large number of people participated in the event and contributed to the success of the food festival.
Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources R. Chandrasekhar, Hon. Members of Parliament K. Ilankumaran and S. Sribavanandarajah, Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Local Government A. Sothinathan, Chairman of the Northern Province Tourism Development Bureau Dr. J. Vivekananthan, members, Director and staff of the Tourism Bureau, Clean Sri Lanka Task Force Kilinochchi District Coordinator M. Mohan and many others participated in the event.
The ‘Visit Jaffna 2026 – Cultural and Food Festival’ will be held tomorrow – on Sunday 16 August 2026, and the day after tomorrow – on Monday 17 August 2026, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Various arts and cultural stage events will also be held during the evenings.
