A special discussion on this issue took place recently with the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa in the chair, at the Ministry of Economic Development. It was decided to provide relief by way of food and financial aid to the selected beneficiaries.
Accordingly, 191,300 people in 14 districts will be given relief within the first month while 84,450 people will be benefitted during the second month. Beneficiaries numbering 176,400 selected from the districts of Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Mullativu, Kilinochchi, Amparaa, Battialoa, Trincomalee, Jffna and Kurunegala will receive 2,116.80 metric tons of rice, 529.20 metric tons of dhall and 132.30 metric tons of vegetable oil during the first month at an approximate cost of Rs. 252.27 Million.
Those selected from Mannar, Vavuniya and Puttalama districts will receive financial assistance during the first month, for which a sum of Rs. 29 Million has been set apart and will be distributed free ( without performing any work by the beneficiaries) In the second month, the beneficiaries will have to attend to light work of non-technical nature to earn food and financial aid.
Accordingly, selected beneficiaries in 11 districts are due to receive 646.80 metric tons oF rice at a cost of Rs. 35.6 Million. In the case of three districts selected for financial assistance, a sum of Rs. 7 Million will be paid for the work performed, during the second month. Action has already been taken to select deserving beneficiaries by the District Secretaries at Divisional Secretary Division level.
2763.60 metric tons of rice costing Rs. 151.97 million gifted to the World Food Programme by the Government of Sri Lanka will be accordingly distributed among the beneficiaries by the WFP.
In selecting beneficiaries under this programme, priority will be given to those victims who have not been benefitted with assistance from the government or other sources.
Deputy Minister of Economic Development Susantha Punchinilame, Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development Dr Nihal Jayatilake, Divineguma Director General R.A.A.K.Ranawaka, Director General of Development Finance, General Treasury A.M.P.M.B.Athapattu, Director General of Disaster Management Centre L.B.R.Mark, Director, WFP R.H.W.A.Kumarasiri, along with a host of state officials and WFP Representatives were present on this occasion. (MED/KH)
