To uplift the living standards of all people of the Southern Province through policy formulation, provision of necessary facilities and regulation, in accordance with national policy, aimed at establishing proper water supply methods, a standardized food supply process and good trade practices.
As a result of decentralization of administration in accordance with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Southern Province Ministry of Agriculture, Farmer Development, Irrigation, Water Supply & Drainage, Food Supply & Distribution, Trade and Cooperative Development was established. Under the constitutional provisions assigned to the Provincial Council, human and physical resources are managed to ensure sustainable development in agriculture, livestock and irrigation sectors.
Public benefits are delivered through three separate departments under the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Cooperative Development. The Hon. Minister, the Ministry Secretary and the entire staff serve loyally, honestly and with great dedication to achieve the vision and objectives of this Ministry.
Our Ministry is committed to providing clients with a high-quality, reliable and efficient service. Our official website enables continuous access to information and services 24/7. Using modern technology, service delivery has been made faster, easier and more accessible. We are always committed to maintaining trust and quality to meet the needs of our clients. We will continue to strive to provide even more modern and useful services in the future.
Three main institutions operate for agricultural development within the Southern Province: the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Irrigation. The Ministry of Agriculture formulates policies and directs development programmes. The Department of Agriculture contributes to production growth by providing farmers with technical advice, seeds and cultivation methods. The Department of Irrigation helps supply water for agricultural activities by managing water resources and irrigation systems. Similarly, the Department of Cooperative Development assists in improving various economic activities and providing market opportunities.
The Southern Province Department of Agriculture was established to implement the regulations and rules mentioned under Subject No. 9 of the First List of the Ninth Schedule of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
The primary objective of this department is to ensure food security in the Southern Province through the efficient management of resources and funds allocated to the agricultural sector by the government and the provincial council. The department is committed to achieving this outcome through strategic planning, coordination, supervision, capacity building, introduction of modern technologies, and encouraging farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.
The Southern Province Department of Irrigation is the principal provincial government institution established for regulating and controlling rivers and inland water resources within the province. Recognizing the enormous potential of water resource development activities in the province, this department carries out its services in an orderly manner. The irrigation systems of the Southern Province are mainly of three types: major irrigation networks are maintained by the central government, while minor and secondary irrigation networks are maintained by the Southern Province Department of Irrigation.
This department has been established as an independent institution under the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Farmer Development, Animal Production & Development and Environmental Affairs, with the aim of providing maximum benefit to the public through orderly and coordinated state services.
The Southern Province Department of Cooperative Development, which falls under the Southern Province Ministry of Agriculture, Farmer Development, Irrigation, Water Supply & Drainage, Food Supply & Distribution, Trade and Cooperative Development, is headed by the Commissioner of Cooperative Development and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, while the Deputy Commissioner's principal post is the Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative Development.
The Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative Development offices under the Southern Province Department of Cooperative Development are administered at district level, with offices located in Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts.
This office was established on 01.10.1991 in a small room of the Galle, Pettigalawatta District Cooperative Council building, with a staff of 5 including the Secretary.
The office was later maintained in the old building where the current "Hall de Gol" hall is situated. With the tsunami disaster of 26.12.2004, all the property and files of the office were destroyed. With donations and assistance from cooperatives, timber, equipment and documents were arranged, and this office was re-established and maintained with great difficulty in a very small portion of the ground floor of the Galle District Secretariat.
Ministry Secretary
091-2234604, 0714054611
Assistant Secretary
091-4943077, 0718139100
Assistant Secretary II
091-4946392, 0772715168
Deputy Director I (Planning)
091-4943078, 071-4460731
Deputy Director II (Planning)
091-4943076, 078-6416759
Accountant
091-4943088, 071-7329162
Administrative Officer
091-4946393, 076-9795401
