ILO convenes policy dialogue on Northern Province to bridge policy and practice

Wednesday, 18 June 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The International Labour Organisation (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.

Northern Province Chief Secretary Thanuja Murugesan said: “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.

ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Chief Technical Advisor Thomas Kring said: “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.”

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 Chief Secretary Thanuja Murugesan, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chief Economic Policy Advisor Shiran Fernando, ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Director Joni Simpson, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon Deputy Director General Adhil Khasim, National Enterprise Development Authority Chairman Lakshman Abeysekera, and Women in Need – Jaffna Legal Officer Indhuka Sriskantharajah. This diverse group of stakeholders shared practical insights and explored collaborative solutions for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development in the Northern Province.

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