No food scarcity in Vakarai and B'caloa

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

Deputy Secretary to the Treasury and Commissioner General of Essential Services, S.B. Divaratne said that there was no food shortage in Vakarai and Batticoloa.

"We are still sending food and essential commodities to Jaffna by sea. Once the A9 road is opened more items will be sent", the Commissioner told the Sunday Observer.

The Commissioner said, "We have already sent around 35,000 metric tonnes of foodstuff which includes milk, rice, vegetable oil, medicine and dry rations to Jaffna by sea and air.

"We have a Government Agent in Jaffna and he distributes the items to the heads of co-operatives, he said.

According to the Commissioner, food items are sent through charter vessels as it is cheaper than sending by land. "At present we are having some problems to send vessels due to bad weather and it takes ten to twelve days to reach Jaffna. Normally it takes only three to four days" he said.

He said that they have already advertised for lorry owners to register under the Treasury and when the A9 road opens they can hire their lorries.

Companies which produce milk powder and biscuits, have already informed the government that they would supply such food items to Jaffna.