68 lorries get to Vakarai at last, but 33 held back

Although more than 60 lorry-loads of food and other essentials managed to reach Vakarai, giving some relief to the people, another 33 were held back due to the volatile security situation.

However, an official from the Batticaloa District Secretariat said arrangements would be made for that convoy too to reach Vakarai this week. This was the first time that some food convoy reached Vakarai after a monthlong closure of the road to the uncleared area. According to the official, 197 mt of rice, 115mt of wheat flour, 22mt of Sugar , 31mt of dhal, 7mt of oil and other items including milk powder, toothpaste, candles, noodles were among the essentials in the convoy of food. He said the stock would be sufficient for about two weeks for the nearly 40,000 displaced people.

Meanwhile Vakarai’s Assistant Divisional Secretary R.Rakulanayahi said 68 lorries entered Vakarai last week, out of which 57 carried food stuff while 11 carried tents and other items.