Controlling prices, eliminating shortages vital in Jaffna - Minister Devananda

COLOMBO: A discussion, representing a cross section of organisations was held at the Ministerial office in Jaffna headed by Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare Douglas Devananda on controlling the soaring prices of consumables, eliminating shortages and streamlining distribution.

The Jaffna G.A., Additional Government Agent, Divisional Secretaries, Deputy Commissioner of Co-operatives, Director District Planning, Administrative Officers of Multipurpose Co-operative Societies, representatives from Consumer Protection Committees, representatives from Peoples’ Committees for Peace, representatives from NGOs Unity and Ministry officials participated.

The Minister said he was expressing his free and fair views concerning the present food situation in Jaffna and it was the bounden duty of those gathered at the discussion from diverse fields to make every endeavour possible to bring happiness and solace to the suffering masses.

“People of the South never get a clear picture of the problems faced by the people of Jaffna, not a correct assessment of the situation. What they get is a twisted picture, a reflection of the views of news conveners in the North. The Co-operatives should market goods retaining a reasonable prices margin.

Food items unfit for human consumption, shouldn’t be distributed nor conditions be laid down compelling consumers to purchase a particular kind of food. If they possessed any food items unfit for consumption, they should be returned,” the Minister stated.

He said presently eight ships bring essential food items and other goods to the Jaffna peninsula. If these ships were used twice a month, the requirements of the Jaffna people could be adequately met.

Minister Devananda added that he had been informed that relief items in certain areas had not been met with for the last three months and action needs to be taken to provide these items to those who had not received them.

He said that the Government under no circumstances would thrust food items and other goods on the people. It is the middlemen who were involved in such illegal activities and stressed the necessity of removing these people from the food distribution system.

He appealed to all the co-operative societies to contact him whenever they encounter any problems in food distribution and requested them to be mindful about the weight and quality of food items when purchasing. He promised to explore the possibility of obtaining credit facilities for their purchases.