Devananda conveys Jaffna food situation to President

COLOMBO: Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare Douglas Devananda over the telephone explained to President Mahinda Rajapaksa the necessity to control the soaring prices of goods, their adequate supply and proper distribution in the Jaffna peninsula.

The Minister who is now in Jaffna is meeting and sorting out the problems of the people of Jaffna conveyed to the President that at present eight ships are used to take essential food items and goods to Jaffna of which three are State owned, that take relief items and other goods by the State, and the other five privately owned, too take consumable required by the people.

All these eight ships together transport only 18,500 metric tons of foods to Jaffna whereas the total requirement is in the region of 35,000 metric tons. If these ships were made use twice a month for transporting goods the shortfall of goods in Jaffna could be conveniently solved, the Minister said.

The Minister stated that though this task could be achieved, some stumbling blocks exist hindering the process. They needed to be identified and removed for allowing smooth flow of adequate consumer items to Jaffna.

The President has assured the Minister that he would look into the matter and take corrective steps. The Minister has also been informed that the high cost of cement in Jaffna, which is in the region of Rs. 2000 per bag has created a situation where the construction industry has come to a complete paralysis.

The Minister stated that he would take necessary action to bring down the cost of cement in Jaffna, so that the construction industry would be resuscitated.