ILO says Sri Lanka’s Northern Province holds immense potential

The International Labour Organization (ILO) says Sri Lanka’s Northern Province holds immense potential.

The ILO convened a policy dialogue, “The Northern Forum: Bridging Policy and Practice.” This dynamic event gathered over 40 key stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society, and development partners to unveil the findings of the “Growth Diagnostic Study of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province: Focusing on Leading Economic Sectors, Development Opportunities, and Strategic Recommendations” Developed under the ILO’s Promoting Advancement of Vulnerable Persons and Enterprises (PAVE) Project, funded by the Government of Norway, the study identifies critical challenges — from socio-economic barriers and climate risks to infrastructure gaps and limited finance access. It reveals the untapped potential of informal SMEs and highlights how targeted investments and coordinated support can drive transformative growth.

The report outlines sector-specific opportunities and value chain strategies, paired with recommendations and a clear implementation roadmap to transition the Northern Province from post-conflict recovery to sustainable, inclusive economic development.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Thanuja Murugesan, Chief Secretary of the Northern Province stated, “Transforming the Northern Province requires sustained collaboration and a shared vision. The ILO has been a trusted partner in this journey, working alongside us to strengthen livelihoods, institutional capacities, and market systems. As we embrace the next chapter with them, we look forward to scaling impact and ensuring development reaches all corners of the province.”

The forum served as a platform to introduce the ILO’s latest initiative— GROW (Generating Resilient Opportunities for Work) Project—building on the legacies of LEED, LEED+, EGLR, and PAVE projects.

GROW focuses on fostering inclusive, climate-resilient development and strengthening market systems, with a special emphasis on empowering women and persons with disabilities in the Northern Province.

“It is a key priority of the ILO to ensure that our high quality and evidence-based research  actively shapes real policy and drives meaningful action. The Northern Province holds immense potential — and dialogues like this forum helps guide our work through initiatives like PAVE and now GROW. We continue to strengthen systems that not only create decent jobs but also foster resilience and empowerment, especially for vulnerable women, persons with disabilities, and all those too often left behind,” said, Thomas Kring, Chief Technical Advisor, ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The event featured a panel discussion titled “Unlocking Economic Growth Potential in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka,” moderated by Dr. Thomas Kring. The panel, representing diverse expertise, included Mrs. Thanuja Murugesan, Chief Secretary of the Northern Province; Mr. Shiran Fernando, Chief Economic Policy Advisor at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Joni Simpson, Director of the ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives; Mr. Adhil Khasim, Deputy Director General of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon; Mr. Lakshman Abeysekera, Chairman of the National Enterprise Development Authority; and Ms. Indhuka Sriskantharajah, Legal Officer at Women in Need – Jaffna. This diverse group of stakeholders shared practical insights and explored collaborative solutions for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development in the Northern Province.

The forum concluded with a powerful call to action to bridge the gap between evidence and policy and to translate research into strategic, community-centered action. Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to working together toward long-term, inclusive growth in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

The ILO is the United Nations specialized agency for the world of work. It sets international labour standards, provides technical assistance, and engages in policy dialogue to address pressing issues related to employment, labour rights, and social protection. The ILO works closely with governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other stakeholders to achieve its mission of advancing social justice and promoting decent work worldwide.