Flood havoc:

President orders quick relief

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday instructed Essential Services Commissioner General S B Divaratna to muster all his resources to help the flood affected in all the districts stating that helping them is to be regarded as an essential service from now onwards.

President Rajapaksa said this at an emergency meeting held at Temple Trees with Ministry Secretaries and Essential Services Commission officials. Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga, Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando, Finance Ministry Secretary P B Jayasundara and Internal Trade Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardena were present.

The President said the people in the flood hit areas are desperately in need of assistance for food, medicine and shelter.

”Especially, Food and medicine should reach the victims without delay or failure,” he stressed.

All the Ministers and their Secretaries were asked to act collectively to help the affected.He assigned Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa to take measures to get relief aid from international organizations such as the World Food Organization.

The Security Forces have been called upon to assist the relief measures. Sources said the Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, Moneragala, Kandy, Badulla and Kegalle districts were the worst hit by floods.