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| Sunday, 16 March 2003 |
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Govt. gears for US - Iraq War by Don Asoka Wijewardena With the March 17 deadline for Iraq to destroy its chemical and biological weapons just 24-hours away, the Sri Lankan government has set in motion, a series of contingency plans,that will ensure the country does not suffer the consequences of a Gulf War, that now seems increasingly inevitable. The plans include ensuring a continuous supply of food and fuel, establishing a Consumer Affairs Authority to ensure that no artificial shortages of either food or fuel, created by unscrupulous traders and the safe return of Sri Lankan expatriate workers in the Gulf. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayaka, told the "Sunday Observer" that a large quantity of essential food items sufficient for three months had been stockpiled and explained that the Ministry would be introducing anti-hoarding regulations, to ensure that no artificial shortages are created. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) approved by the Cabinet will be set up shortly through a gazette notification, seeks to ensure the availability of essential food items, equal distribution of essential food items at fair prices and maintenance of utility services essential to daily lives, in the event of a war. It also provides for anti-hoarding measures such as sudden raids on business enterprises and consumer protection against unfair prices. Minister Karunanayake emphasised that drastic action would be taken against unscrupulous traders who were bent on capitalising on the situation. Punishment for such unfair practices include, heavy fines, cancellation of trade licences and imprisonment not less than 6 months to 1 year. "I am fully aware that some traders are planning to precipitate artificial scarcities in the market, but I am warning them not to do so as the new legislation empowers the CAA to take stringent measures against unfair traders," said the minister. Meanwhile, Employment and Labour Minister, Mahinda Samarasinghe said that an effective contingency plan had already been prepared to repatriate Sri Lankan migrant workers in most vulnerable countries, by sea, air and road and ensured that required funds had been released for the task. "I, as the Minister of Labour, will do everything possible to protect Sri Lankans on behalf of the government of Sri Lanka and all ambassadors, consul generals and welfare officers in the respective countries have been instructed to co-ordinate with ICRC, UNHCR, UNDP and other international organisations to take every possible measure to protect migrant workers," he said. According to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), about 1.2 million Sri Lankans are employed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bharain, Qatar and Lebanon. When asked about fuel requirements Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya said that a regular supply of fuel for a period of one month was in stock and consumers might be somewhat inconvenienced as imports of fuel would definitely be affected. "If the situation worsens I suppose we have no alternative but to import fuel from far eastern countries. We are a developing nation without fuel resource and depend on oil rich nations. I am urging consumers to use fuel sparingly to eschew any possible shortages as precautionary measures," Minister Jayasuriya said. |
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