Game changer: Northern Province launches Sri Lanka’s first One-Stop Shop Investment Portal

From left: Harald Branavan, TMC Jaffna Vice Chairman Nishanthan Karunairaj, Treasurer Gokulashankar Suriyakumar, R. Sakuntharaj, NIS26 Chairman Kaushal Rajapaksa, Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, Indian Consulate in Jaffna Consul General Shri Sai Murali, NIS26 Deputy Chairman Shanthi Bhagirathan, Consulate General of India Consul – CPV, Press and Education Shri Nagarajan Ramaswamy, TMC Jaffna Vice Chairman V. Niranjan, Chairman S. Anu Rakavan

From left: Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, NIS26 Chairman Kaushal Rajapaksa, TMC Jaffna Chairman Anu Rakavan, and NIS26 Deputy Chairman Shanthi Bhagirathan 

The Northern Province of Sri Lanka has launched the country’s first-ever “One-Stop Shop Investment” (OSSI) Portal. This digital initiative was officially inaugurated on 26 June by Northern Province Governor  N. Vethanayahan.

The OSSI Portal was developed based on the vision of the Northern Investment Summit – 2026 (NIS26), which was organised for the first time in the history of the Northern Province on a grand scale. The official launch event was held today at the Governor’s Secretariat auditorium.

Delivering the opening and welcome address, the Governor said: This portal is not merely a digital platform, but a symbol of transformation.”

He said that this achievement was the result of continuous collective effort and timely support. He expressed his deep gratitude to The Management Club and the team from the University of Vavuniya. He emphasised that such major progress becomes possible when the Government, private sector, and academia unite with a common purpose. He further noted that this provincial model lays the foundation for a national framework for the whole of Sri Lanka.

In the past, investors had often become frustrated due to delays in obtaining approvals from departments in the region. The lengthy administrative procedures were the main reason for this. To address these issues, the highly anticipated OSSI Portal, also referred to as a single-window system, has now been developed and made publicly accessible. Through this system, investors from anywhere in the world can more easily bring their investments into the Northern Province. The Governor also expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the Ministers who extended full cooperation to this initiative.

NIS26 Project Chairman Kaushal Rajapaksha thanked the Ministers and the Governor for supporting the Summit and its related initiatives. He pointed out that investors from 18 countries had participated in the Summit and said that they had officially received an invitation from the North Central Provincial Council to organise a similar successful summit in their province as well.

Indian Consulate in Jaffna Consul General Shi Sai Murali, and Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai delivered speeches.

Subsequently, the OSSI Portal was officially launched by the Governor, and the final report of the NIS26 was handed over to the Governor and other distinguished guests.

Thereafter, representatives from the World Bank, a special representative attending on behalf of the UN Resident Representative, and diaspora representatives from the UK, Australia, France, and Canada shared their views.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province.

Among those who participated in the event were Northern Province Chief Secretary, the Secretary to the Governor, Mannar District Secretary, Deputy Chief Secretary (Planning), Additional District Secretary of Vavuniya, Jaffna District Secretariat Planning Director, representatives of non-Governmental organisations, UN agencies, and representatives from trade and business organisations.