Northern Province Governor Meets Canadian High Commissioner

15-Jul-2025

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Highlighting that the Northern Province, particularly the Vanni region, faces extensive land disputes, Governor N. Vethanayagan informed Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh that the main reason is the destruction of documents due to the war.

The meeting between Northern Province Governor N. Vethanayagan and Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh took place on July 14 at the Governor’s Secretariat.

The High Commissioner informed the Governor that he would be concluding his assignment in Sri Lanka and returning home next month. The Governor expressed appreciation for his cooperation and for the assistance provided by the Canadian Government over the years.

The Governor also raised the challenges arising from the Department of Forest Conservation and the Department of Wildlife Conservation publishing land areas in gazettes using Google Maps without the knowledge of local officials. He explained the measures the current government has taken to address this issue.

The Canadian High Commissioner responded that he was aware similar impacts have been experienced in regions beyond the Northern Province.

The Governor pointed out that housing projects initiated in the Northern Province in 2019 remain incomplete, leaving people affected, and requested assistance to complete them.

He also highlighted that many women-headed households are engaged in production activities and require support to develop export markets abroad.

The Governor further noted that employment remains a challenge in the Northern Province and requested that the Canadian diaspora be encouraged to invest in establishing industries to convert agricultural and marine products into value-added goods.

The Canadian High Commissioner inquired about the progress of planned investment zones in the North and the expansion of Jaffna International Airport.

The meeting was attended by the Governor’s Secretary, M. Nandagopalan, and Assistant Secretaries to the Governor.