Govt assures speedy action on Vakarai

Rodney Martinesz and Manjula Fernando

KOTTE: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake yesterday vouched that the Government will never allow its people in the North and East or anywhere else to starve to death, responding to a motion raised by TNA Parliamentarian R. Sampanthan.

Moving the adjournment motion Sampanthan said the military was preventing the food convoys being sent to Vakarai and as a result the people have been starving and suffering without proper medication and essential items.

The Premier said he has summoned a meeting of all parties to discuss the situation in Vakarai today, taking into account the TNA allegations and contradictory reports by the military based on the Batticaloa Government Agent.

"The fight against terrorism did not begin yesterday. We will never allow people to suffer from hunger," he assured the House when the matter was raised yesterday.

What we have been informed by the military is of a different situation.

"According to this, based on Batticaloa GA's report the LTTE has blocked the efforts by the military to send food, medicine, and other essential items to Vakarai through Kajuwatte. The lorries reaching the areas have decided not to proceed due to the LTTE attacks." "On November 18 the military has arranged to send ambulances and medicines to Vakarai. The vehicles had to be stopped at the point of Mankerni due to heavy attacks by the LTTE."

"The Batticaloa GA will be able to send in lorries as soon as the LTTE ceases artillery attacks in the area"

"This is the version of the military," the Premier said as a Government they were bound to inquire into these two versions and verify the true situation.

Asserting speedy action to settle the issue the Prime Minister emphasised the matter will be given top priority and will be regarded as a humanitarian issue.

"Our battle is with the terrorists not with the innocent Tamil people."

The adjournment motion was seconded by TNA MP Ariyanendran.