GoSL imposes restrictions on food supplies to Vanni

[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 08:29 GMT]
New restrictions imposed by the Government of Sri Lanka on transport of goods from Vavuniyaa to Ki’linochchi via Oamanthai Sri Lanka Army (SLA) check post will severely hamper distribution of food and other essential commodities to Vanni, Vavuniyaa Secretariat sources said. SLA is directed to allow only 30% of the food supplies required to support Vanni needs, Ki’linochchi district Government Agent, Mr. Vethanayagam said. Meanwhile, a controlled price for bread is to be fixed in Jaffna peninsula with effect from Sunday, Jaffna Government Agent (GA), K. Ganesh said.

Only seven light and heavy vehicles per day would be permitted to pass through Oamanthai SLA check post according to the new GoSL restriction on transport of goods to Ki’linochchi.

At least 15 to 20 heavy vehicles are needed daily to transport food and other essential commodities to Ki’linochchi from Vavuniyaa to meet the requirements of the people in Vanni, Mr. Vethanayagam said.

Mr. Vethanayagam said that he had made representations about the problem with the SLA Command in Vavuniyaa.

SLA spokesman Brigadier Uthaya Nanayakara, however, said that there are no restrictions on the transport of goods between Vanni and Vavuniyaa.

Meanwhile, Jaffna GA said that the price of 450 gm bread will be fixed at a control price of Rs. 48 and the price of 150 gm bun will be Rs. 25 while the price of a 130 gm tea bun will be Rs. 23.

The price of 1 kg wheat flour was fixed at a control price of Rs. 81 from 11 February but the price of bread had not been raised.