Foodstuff direct to Jaffna from Chennai on President's directive

by Anura Maitipe

On a special directive issued by President Mahinda Rajapaksa the Government has made arrangements to import 10,000 metric tonnes of essential foodstuff from Chennai directly to Point Pedro and Kankesanturai to overcome the food shortage in the Jaffna peninsula, Minister Douglas Devananda told the "Sunday Observer."

The arrangement was made through the Ministry of Social Service and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE).

Ten-thousand metric tonnes of foodstuff have already been loaded on to the ship from the Chennai Harbour. This vessel will arrive in Point Pedro within ten days, he said.

This shipment will consist of rice, corriander, cummin seeds, fennel seeds, dried chillies, mustard, garlic, pepper, jaggery, salt, tamarind, potatoes, turmeric, soya meat, dried sprats, pappadam, black gram, green gram, chick pea and ata flour, he said.

He said when it arrives in Jaffna the foodstuff will be handed over to the Government Agent in Jaffna who in turn will distribute these items to the public through retail outlets of the Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies in the Jaffna peninsula. Arrangements have also been made to import food directly by small craft from Nagapattinam to Kayts on a daily basis.

Each craft will carry 80 metric tonnes of foodstuff, he added. In addition one-hundred-and-thirty-four lorries of essential items.

Among the items are rice, dhal, dried fish, spices, medicine, fuel, clothes, building material and vehicle spare parts had also been sent to uncleared areas of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu district via Omanthai and Uyilankulam during the last seven days.

[email protected]