A-9 food convoys no risk to national security

Ranil Wijayapala and Uditha Kumarasinghe

KOTTE: The Government will ensure that the transport of essential items through the A-9 road to Jaffna would not cause any adverse impact on national security, Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

The Minister told Parliament that the decision to open the A-9 road for the transport of essential supplies would be a once-only measure.

He said a team of Parliamentarians will be sent to Jaffna to observe and monitor the transport of food convoys and the distribution of food.

The Minister said: "Having reviewed the situation and having considered representations by the religious community and people's representatives and as inclement weather is likely to continue in the next few weeks, the President directed Government authorities to make arrangements for the transport of essential goods to Jaffna by using the A-9 as a one time measure."

De Silva said the road will be open to transport essential food items to the Jaffna peninsula. "Any decision to open the A-9 road permanently will depend on the LTTE's behaviour. If the LTTE is ready to cease violence, we are ready to open the road permanently," the Minister said. De Silva said a large convoy of lorries will soon take essential commodities to Jaffna on the President's directive.

"The Government will request independent organisations to facilitate the movement of the convoy of lorries through the checkpoints at Omanthai and Muhamalai," the Minister said.

"A team of Parliamentarians will also be sent to Jaffna to observe and monitor the transport of food convoys and the distribution process", he said.

"International humanitarian organisations have also been requested to offer 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," he added.

The Minister said 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 organisations and Government authorities.

"All parties will be requested to ensure safe passage of these lorries carrying humanitarian goods.

The distribution of these transported goods will also be observed by people's organisations," he added.

*****

Govt. appeals for lorries

KOTTE: The Government yesterday made a public appeal to those who could provide lorries and trucks for transporting essential goods and commodities to Jaffna to ensure adequate buffer stocks.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament that to ensure a satisfactory buffer stock of goods and essential commodities is maintained in Jaffna under the supervision of the Government Agent/District Secretary of Jaffna, a large fleet of lorries will be needed.

"Therefore a public appeal is made to all who could provide lorries for this purpose to make them available to the office of Commissioner General of Essential Services through telephone offers," the Minister said.