There are reports in Colombo as though the government was taking all steps for dispatching food and essential items to Jaffna although the transport facilities are crippled. It has been pointed out that President Rajapakse’s government was trying its best to send these items at least in one ship although the weather was unfavourable.

It was also reported to the International Community that President Rajapakse personally visited the Colombo harbour to satisfy himself the speed at which these items are being dispatched.

It may be true that President Rajapakse has shown a great concern for the innocent civilians caught up in the conflict or it may be that the government has been compelled to do so due to the pressure exerted by the international community to alleviate the sufferings of these people who have not had any supplies for more than 10 days. We welcome this move whatever the reasons may be.

Yet, it must be stated that thousands of people have been displaced within the Jaffna peninsula and that several others have lost their income, employment opportunities and livelihood for the last two weeks because of the war situation. Therefore, while ensuring that these people get the essential commodities at reasonable prices, it is equally important that they be paid adequate relief for their loss.

The government which gave such relief to people who are affected by the stoppage of water supply from Maviluaru must come forward in the same sprit to provide relief to the people affected by war.

The appeal made by Douglas Devananda, the Minister of Social Services to President Rajapakse to distribute the essential commodities send by ship as relief to five hundred thousand people in the Jaffna peninsula is reasonable and meaningful but it is unfortunate that this recommendation by this minister is not accepted. This only shows to what extent a Tamil Minister in the Sinhala government could help his own people.

At the same time, people affected by this war are not only the people in the Jaffna peninsula but also the people in the LTTE controlled areas of Vanni . If the government claims that Vannie is not a separate country and that it is Sri Lankan territory, then it is the responsibility of the government to provide relief to the suffering people in those areas. If the government fails to show any interest for the welfare of the people in those areas, then it is recognition that it is a separate land.

Still, it is a matter of solace that Sehu Issadeen, a Musleem deputy minister in the government has raised his voice for these people. He has pointed out that the interest shown to provide relief to the displaced Muslims and others must be extended to the displaced Tamil refugees in the LTTE controlled areas.

It can be recalled that when the Sinhalese in the south were affected by floods, the LTTE cadres themselves took lorry loads of essential commodities and distributed them the victims in the Sinhalese villages. It is a misfortune that that congenial atmosphere does not prevail now.

It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Sri Lankan government to provide relief to the displaced people in the LTTE controlled areas as well.

An English translation of Editorial in Uthayan, a Tamil daily, based in Jaffna.

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