Alleviate the sufferings of the affected!

– Virakesari Editorial

(September 23, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) People have been facing a tragedy from the day the war commenced in Vanni. Toll of the internally displaced people are increasing day by day. They are living without basic facilities.

There are more than 200, 000 internally displaced people up to now. They depend fully on the aid. If the assistance does not reach, they will have to face starvation.

Meanwhile, it is announced that food distribution in Kilinochchi is temporarily halted. It is reported that vehicles which were carrying food items were not permitted to go to Killinochchi from Vavuniya following defence ministry’s directive.

Meanwhile, killinochchi Government Agent has said that there is dearth of food items in Killinchchi since the food items are dispatched from Vavuniya. INGO’s and loacal NGO’s were providing food items and basic facilities to the internall displaced people but since the NGO’s have left, the problems faced by the people of Vanni have increased.

It is said that Killinochchi and Mullaitheevu are crowded with the IDP’s. They are living under trees and along road sides. It is regrettable and painful that children, women, elders and patients are leading a pathetic life for months. Therefore, as a humanitarian gesture, steps should be taken to dispatch food items to the IDP’s.

Beyond the war, the reality is that people of the north are also citizens of this country. It should not be forgotten. We would like to stress that the sufferings of the affected people should be approached on humanitarian grounds!

(An English translation of the Editorial in Virakesari, a Tamil daily based in Colombo.) - Sri Lanka Guardian