No economic blockade on Wanni - Peace Secretariat

COLOMBO: The Peace Secretariat denied LTTE accusations of banning goods and imposing an economic blockade on the Wanni, in a release issued recently.

The release said the LTTE Peace Secretariat was spreading false propaganda to counter the Government’s continued supply of essential items to civilians in the Wanni, saying the allegations were ‘simply not true.’

It states that from December 7 to April 24 the Government has supplied 995 MT of essential items to the Wanni, facilitated by the Federation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka (FCCISL).

A further 3105 MT of items is in the process is being delivered to the Wanni and a wholesale distribution centre was established in Kilinochchi on February 10 this year to serve as a warehouse facility that will ensure an uninterrupted supply of goods to the people.

The SCOPP said the LTTE was trying to paint a different picture contrary to the real situation to control the people of Wanni. It has said the only goods restricted in the areas are those being used by the LTTE for terror activities.

The SCOPP release stated the provision of supplies through the FCCISL has also helped stabilise the prices of goods in the area.

The release stated: “The Ealanatham, a Kilinochchi daily on February 18, 2007, just three weeks before the LTTE Peace Secretariat report, advertised the maximum retail prices that could be levied by a trader.

This price list gives the reader a better understanding of how the prices of essential goods are being reduced. The Government has done its utmost to bring normality for the people of Wanni.”

The SCOPP says the consignment up for transport contains general hardware, electrical items, bicycles and their spare parts, tyres and tubes, roofing sheets, and sewing machines.

“The report on the economic blockade is not only a lie but also a deliberate attempt to mislead the people and the international community through its propaganda machine in order to collect money and seek sympathy.”