Government sells Jaffna material aid

[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 October 1997, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan government has decided to sell cement and roofing sheets donated by the Indian government for reconstruction work in Jaffna.

The decisionwas taken in view of the difficulties faced in transporting the goods to the peninsula said officials of the ministry of rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The Indian government recently sent 714 tons of roofing material valued at 9.2 million rupees and 82000 bags of cement valued at 4.1 million rupees after the Sri Lankan government agreed to transport and utilise the goods in the Jaffna peninsula for reconstruction works on a priority basis identified by the authorities there.

"To say that there are difficulties in transport is an insidious excuse as so many other things are being taken regularly by sea to Jaffna. This is only a clear example of how goods and funds meant for the north and east are diverted by the Sri Lankan government" said an official who did not want to be identified.