Convoy of food and essentials to Jaffna on A9
[Monday, November 20, 2006 - 9.30 GMT]

Responding to requests made by religious leaders, community and people’s representatives, and also in view of the present inclement weather that make
sea transport difficult, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed that all possible steps be taken  to ensure an adequate supply of food and other goods for civilians of the Jaffna peninsula.

The measures taken would include the transport of essential food and other items in a special convoy on the A9 route to Jaffna, which has been closed from Muhamalai, since August 11, due to continued LTTE hostilities. This action is being taken in order to ensure the availability of a buffer stock of food and other essentials for distribution in Jaffna. A communiqué from
the Presidential Secretariat said the use of the A9 to ease the shortages of food, fuel and other goods in Jaffna would be a one-time measure.  

The communiqué noted that the government has maintained a steady supply of goods to Jaffna, despite inclement weather, threats to private traders to
close shops and attacks on ships carrying humanitarian goods and people, all of which have led to scarcities of certain commodities available to the people of Jaffna.
 
Following is the text of the communiqué issued yesterday (Nov. 19, 2006)

Communiqué from the Presidential Secretariat

H.E the President had directed relevant government authorities spearheaded by the Commissioner General of Essential Services (CGES) to take all possible steps to ensure adequate supplies of food and other goods for the use of civilians in the Jaffna peninsula. Since A9 could not be used for transport of goods to Jaffna due to the prevailing security situation, the government has been using sea transport for transport of essential food
items as well as fuel. The government has maintained a steady supply of goods to Jaffna, despite inclement weather, threats to private traders to close shops and attacks on ships carrying humanitarian goods and people, all these have led to scarcities of certain commodities available to the people of Jaffna.

Having reviewed the situation, and having considered representations made by religious, community and people’s representatives and as inclement weather
is likely to continue in the next few weeks, H.E the President has directed government authorities to make arrangements for the transport of essential goods to Jaffna by road using the A9, as a one time measure. Soon, a large convoy of lorries will take essential commodities to Jaffna. The government will request independent organizations to facilitate the movement of the convoy of lorries through the checkpoints at Omanthai and Muhumalai. Lorries transporting goods to Jaffna will be sealed and once the lorries reach Jaffna, the seals will be opened in the presence of representatives of civilian and religious organizations and government authorities. All relevant parties will be requested to ensure safe passage of these lorries
carrying humanitarian goods.  Distribution of these transported goods will also be observed by people’s organizations.

In order to ensure that a satisfactory buffer stock of food and other essential commodities is maintained in Jaffna under the supervision of the Government Agent/District Secretary of Jaffna, a large fleet of lorries will have to transport adequate supplies to Jaffna. These lorries will have to be made available to the CGES as early as possible. Therefore, a public
appeal is hereby made to all those who could provide lorries for this purpose to make them available to the office of the CGES through telephone offers.  

International humanitarian organizations too are requested to offer their assistance to the supply of humanitarian goods to the Jaffna peninsula so that sufficient buffer stocks of all items necessary for people of Jaffna could be ensured. Whilst this will help meet the needs of the people, it will also build confidence among the people.      

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Last Updated Date: November 20, 2006 -9.30 GMT