GA says that IDPs are suffering due to transport restrictions

Kilinochchi Government Agent (GA) Rasalingam Vedanayagam says "the area is suffering from a severe food shortage after transport of goods and food into the area has been cut by 80 percent."

Mr. Vedanayagam further said that despite the shortage, 12,000 are still being provided food under the World Food Programme and a further 17,000 by the Sri Lanka Government Rehabilitation Programme.

These accusations against the government are complete false Minister Risath Badiudeen

"Following the transport restrictions introduced by the government and the ministry of defence, transport of goods into the area has drastically decreased. Before the restrictions, around 200 to 300 trucks carrying food would come this way, but now there aren't even 50."

Mr. Vedanayagam also added that the trucks that are permitted to transport have to also distribute food to the cooperatives.

Government denies

"There isn't enough for the people. The rations the people used to get for a week, they only now get for a month."

The GA further said that over the past three months, the government has still not responded to the requests by him to take off the restrictions on the transport of food.

The area is suffering from a severe food shortage after transport of goods and food into the area has been cut by 80 percent Kilinochchi Government Agent (GA) Rasalingam Vedanayagam

The Sri Lanka government says they are yet to get reports on any food shortage in Kilinochchi.

“These accusations against the government are complete false,” Rehabilitation and Resettlement Minister Risath Badiudeen told BBC Sandeshaya.

The GA is yet to inform the government of any such shortage, the minister said, and the government will take steps to provide enough food supplies if needed.