Hon. Governor of Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan stated that through the Northern Provincial Council, efforts are being made not only to provide livelihood assistance to small-scale entrepreneurs for the development of their enterprises, but also to create opportunities to market their products. He further noted that doors have now been opened for exporting their products to foreign countries as well.
The opening ceremony of the office of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Rehabilitation, Social Services, Cooperatives, Food Supply and Distribution, Industries, Entrepreneurship Development and Trade – Northern Province, was held this morning – on Wednesday 31 December 2025, at Jaffna Main Street, under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs Secretary M. Nanthagopalan. The Governor made the above remarks while attending the event, declaring the new building open and delivering the keynote address.
Continuing his speech, the Governor said:
Some departments under the Northern Provincial Council still do not have permanent buildings. This need must certainly be fulfilled. The government has instructed us to reduce operations in rented buildings as much as possible. At the same time, many buildings have been completed but remain unused and vacant. The Finance Commission has advised us to consider how such buildings can be brought into productive use.
This ministry encompasses key sectors such as social services, cooperatives, industries, and women’s affairs. It stands as an important ministry that is directly connected to meeting the needs of our people affected by the war and to improving their livelihoods.
The government is extremely concerned that livelihood assistance should reach the rightful beneficiaries. Livelihood support provided to an individual should not keep them at the same level, but should help move their entrepreneurial efforts and standard of living to the next stage. Therefore, this ministry bears a very significant responsibility that is closely intertwined with the lives of the people.
We do not stop merely at providing livelihood assistance; we also put in place mechanisms to market the products of small-scale entrepreneurs. In particular, we are taking steps to facilitate the export of their products to foreign countries.
I believe that with the move into this new building, the activities of this ministry will be carried out with even greater dynamism in the future. I extend my best wishes for the success of this ministry’s work in the coming New Year, he said.
The event was attended by Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources R. Chandrasekar, Hon. Member of Parliament K. Ilankumaran, The Chief Secretaryof Northern Province Thanuja Murugesan, along with ministry officials and heads of departments.
