Jaffna well stocked for Deepavali : Security forces ensure smooth food supply

Hundreds of sailors despite the inclement climate unloaded necessary foodstuff that was sent for the Deepavali fair to the Jaffna peninsula by the mercantile vessels, Nimalawa and Ruhuna which came under assault by the LTTE last week in the northern seas. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda for myself supervised the receiving of necessary food substance by his men at the Myliddy harbour near Kankesanthurai in Jaffna yesterday.
Navy spokesman Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake told the Sunday Observer that the reason at the back the LTTE's attack on the merchant vessels, Ruhuna and Nimalawa was to create a huge be short of of necessary food items during the Deepavali festive season in the neck of land and to aggravate the efforts of the Government to make sure the smooth supply of necessary items to the north throughout the festive season."The navy not only thwarted the move of the LTTE but also ensured that the Jaffna civilians rejoice Deepavali without any obstruction. The attempts by the sea Tigers to swarming the two merchant vessels carrying foodstuff to the north were repulsed productively by the Navy and the ships were escorted safely to the Myliddy harbour where the receipt of foodstuff was carried out by the sailors.
The merchant ship, Ruhuna carried 3,800 mt tonnes of essential items and the vessel, Nimalawa carried 2,350 mt tonnes of foodstuff," Commander Dassanayake said. Navy Chief Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda who witnessed the receiving of the food items in malice of the bad weather circumstances yesterday praise his men and said that the safety of the merchant vessels that carry essential food items to Jaffna would be ensured with the Navy intensifying its safety measures in the north and east seas,Commander Dassanayake said.
Government Agent, Jaffna K. Ganesh said there was no lack of food and other necessary substance in the peninsula during the Deepavali festive season.
Informed sources said that traders in Jaffna were furious over the LTTE's physical attack last week on the ships that accepted the necessary items to Jaffna and staged a hartal throughout the peninsula in protest next to the killing of the LTTE. The Jaffna town area was crowded with civilians for Deepavali shopping and security was also strengthened to prevent any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, the foodstuff sent by the Government to the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts also reached securely and the Government Agents in the two districts confirmed that they have enough foodstuff GA, Vavuniya Mrs. Charles said.