Foodstuff doubled to Jaffna

by Anura Maitipe

The government has taken steps to double the quantity of foodstuff from 18,800 metric tons to 35,000 metric tons to the Jaffna Peninsula. The increase in foodstuff will be made through the "Co-op City Centres" in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, Minister of Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Bandula Gunawardana told the 'Sunday Observer'.

This was decided on at a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Finance and Trade and Minister Bandula Gunawardana on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees last week.

Around 18,800 metric tons of foodstuff are sent to Jaffna monthly. With the establishment of 45 Co-op City Centres in the Northern and Eastern Provinces the number of food shipments to Jaffna will be further increased, he said.

The CWE Exchange Centres for Essential Commodities will also be set up in the Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts. These Centres will be extended to the Jaffna Peninsula. With the setting up of these centres farmers in these areas will sell their agricultural produce and fish to these centres at an attractive price and purchase other essential food-stuff from these centres at a reasonable price.