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“The flow of goods is maintained quite successfully and there is always a ship either en route to or from Jaffna” – Essential Services Commissioner General Essential Services Commissioner General Mr. Divarathna said there were no problems in the flow of goods in all LTTE controlled areas such as Kilinochchi and Mullativu. He said it was estimated that there are 600,000 people in Jaffna , though the real figure was not really known, and there were sufficient goods for those estimated people. Speaking at a press conference at the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) Mr. Divarathna said currently there was enough stock to last for another 4-5 days. He said that a ship has set sail today with spices, infant products and other such items. He said the ship should reach Point Pedru in two days time. He further said another ship was being loaded with flour from the deck of Prima which too would leave immediately for Jaffna. Another ship is set to sail from Trinco IOC with 5, 000 barrels (one million liters) of fuel. Mr. Divarathna is quoted by the MCNS as saying that there were logistical problems as there was a shortage of ships. Though Indian ships were invited they had not come forth due to LTTE threats. He said if LTTE is indeed interested on any humanitarian grounds, then they would allow these ships to sail under the ICRC flag. Currently, all these ships are sailing under the protection of the SLN. However, he said that the H.E. President has instructed to buy two ships and the government had already called for tenders for new ships and a new container ship that carries 400 containers was already obtained. It is hoped to ship rice in this ship. He calculated that this would take about 10 days. Mr. Divarathna said the LTTE was determined to prevent people from obtaining these essential items and had prevented the functioning of shops, which carry these goods at normal prices, prices similar to those in Colombo. He said the goods sent were not levied, despite the massive expense to the government, as the government was sending the goods on humanitarian grounds.
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