Northern Governor Briefs Australian High Commissioner on Development Priorities and Public Confidence

The Governor of the Northern Province, Hon. N. Vethanayagam, stated that the Tamil people have confidence and high expectations in the current government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and that the government is showing increased commitment towards the development of the Northern Province.

He made these remarks during a meeting with the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr. Matthew Duckworth, who paid a courtesy call on the Governor at the Northern Province Governor’s Secretariat on Monday evening (12 January 2026).

During the meeting, the Governor conveyed his appreciation, on behalf of the people of the Northern Province, for the scanner equipment donated by the Australian Government to the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly and the Kankesanthurai Port. He described the donation as a timely and appropriate contribution towards strengthening security.

Briefing the High Commissioner on the provincial economy, the Governor pointed out that agriculture, livestock farming and fisheries in the Northern Province are rich in resources. However, these products are currently transported out of the province mainly as raw materials, without value addition. He noted that there are no functioning factories in the North to convert these resources into value-added products, and that industries which operated prior to the war are no longer in existence.

He added that the present government has taken constructive steps to change this situation. Three special investment zones are to be established in the Northern Province, each catering to sector-specific investments. In addition, an Investor Forum for the Northern Province, organised by The Management Club, is scheduled to be held in Jaffna on the 21st and 22nd of this month. The Governor described these developments as positive and encouraging signals.

Addressing land-related issues, the Governor noted that in the past, residential and agricultural lands belonging to the people were arbitrarily acquired through gazette notifications by the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation. He stated that the current government has initiated measures to return these lands to their rightful owners. Recalling that the Tamil people had faced repeated disappointments under previous administrations, he emphasised that there is now strong trust and expectation placed on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake by the Tamil community.

When the High Commissioner inquired about the future of youth in the Northern Province, the Governor explained that although young people have access to various opportunities and resources locally, many still view migration abroad as their primary goal. He stressed the need to change this mindset. He also highlighted that the government is implementing a comprehensive programme to combat drug abuse, which significantly affects youth, and expressed confidence that this would bring about a positive change in attitudes in the future.

The High Commissioner also sought detailed information regarding the damage caused by Cyclone “Ditwa” and the compensation measures being undertaken.

The meeting was attended by the Governor’s Secretary and Coordinating Secretaries.

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