14.10.2008

Commissioner of Essential Services S.B. Divarathne says 50 lorries loaded with essential food items for the people in Kilinochchi and Mullative will be sent to the north today. The food stocks will be stored at the Government’s food storage in Vavuniya and later will be dispatched to the needy persons by using lorries in the area. The food convoy will be sent to conflict areas via Mankulam and Oddusudan from Vavuniya since the security forces have announced that A9 route is not still safe for transportation. Mr. Divarathne said 20 lorries carrying 350 metric tons of essential food items were sent to unlearned areas in Kilinochchi and Mullative from Vavuniya yesterday. He said there is no food shortage in these areas. 500 thousand litres of kerosene have been sent to Mullative district and 600 thousand litres to the Kilinochchi district. It is reported that there are enough stocks of medicine in these areas. The government has announced the people in Mullative and Kilinochchi cross over to Vavuniya due to the prevailing conflict situation. However, they have reach to Dharmapuram and Pudukudirippu in the Eastern Province despite the government’s request. The Essential Services Commissioner said these people would also be provided with essential food items through respective District Secretaries. The United Nations and the World Health Organisation are also supplying food to these areas. Items sent by these organisations are subjected to thorough checks. The ICRC is the only international body that operates in these two districts. Other international aid groups have left these areas following instructions by the Defence Secretary.