Over 1,000 mt. of food to kilinochchi

The largest ever food stock to Wanni sufficient for three months for over 200,000 IPDs in Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu has already been stocked in warehouses in Vavuniya and the first consignment of food will reach unliberated areas before Friday, said the Commissioner General of Essential Services S.B. Divaratne.

He said that on a directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the UNDP and the World Food Program (WFP) has taken steps to stock over 5,000 metric tonnes of essential food items including rice, dhal and pulses, sugar and vegetable oil in the warehouses in Vavuniya.

"The first consignment, carrying over 1,000 metric tonnes of food loaded in 80 lorries, will reach Kilinochchi via Mankulam, Oddusudan Road. The GAs have identified three warehouses including Mullaithivu and Vishvamadu", he said.

Divaratna, who is the co-ordinator of food relief, said that the officials of the UNDP, WFP and GAs will stay two nights to unload the stocks. According to Divaratne, under directives of the President, MP Basil Rajapaksa is organising a program with the assistance of the UNDP Resident Representative Neil Buhne, WFP and the ICRC in this connection.

He said the second consignment of food would be sent to IDPs soon after distribution of the first consignment. (S.S.)