Sri Lanka is determined to supply sufficient food to civilians who have escaped from the New Safety Zone

Hilary Rajakarunanayake, Editor – Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune

Colombo, 16 May, (Asiantribune.com): "The Government of Sri Lanka is determined to supply sufficient food to civilians who have escaped from the New Safety Zone and come in large numbers over to the Government controlled areas. The Government has since February facilitated the delivery of over 2,400 MT of food, medicines and other relief items to the no-fire zone", said a spokesman for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights in Colombo, this morning.

The Government has expressed its appreciation to the World Food Programme (WFP) and other partners for their assistance in supplying food items to the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North.

The WFP publicly acknowledged the Government’s willingness to send in food and other supplies during the monthly Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance which was held under the Chairmanship of Mahinda Samarasinghe MP, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights at the Ministry of Defence recently.

“Although the Government is disappointed that the ICRC has been unable to deliver foodstuffs and evacuate patients (sick and wounded) over three successive attempts during the week commencing 11 May, due to the heavy fighting, the Sri Lanka Government appreciates the good work done hitherto by the ICRC . The ICRC was last able to deliver 25 MT of food and evacuate patients on 09 May”.

The Sri Lanka Navy facilitated the loading and departure of three consignments of food amounting to 550 MT during the past 4 days. The Government has clearly manifested its willingness to have the injured patients evacuated and the civilians supplied with basic food items by providing all guarantees and assurances and granting all security clearances necessary. The Government considers that these non-combatant civilians deserves every assistance, since they have been liberated from the clutches of the LTTE.

The Additional Government Agent, Mullaitivu, and the Fishermen’s Association who have been cooperating in this effort have indicated their readiness to unload the vessels bearing food supplies. However the ICRC has communicated its inability to unload the food supplies due to what it deems are security conditions in the no-fire zone.

“The Government and security forces are doing their utmost to ensure the welfare of these civilians at the earliest available opportunity so that they may be brought to safe areas and cared for until conditions are created for their eventual return to their original places of habitation”, added the spokesman for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights in Colombo, this morning.

- Asian Tribune -