This is a very big SLAP on the face of GOSL !
U may have the 'machinery' to Distribute food..but who wants / cares ?
Aid distribution: Red Cross, India differ with Sri Lanka
brief ceremony at the ICRC warehouse here was marked by contradictory statements by India and ICRC on the one hand and Sri Lanka on the other. Colombo insisted the relief would be distributed by government agents in LTTE-occupied areas, under the supervision of ICRC. Sri Lanka s Commissioner General of Essential Services, S. B. Divaratne, said the government had the machinery to ensure distribution in the warzone.
The ICRC would be involved in a supervisory capacity and the actual distribution would be done by the Government Agents, he said.
Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad, who handed over the relief material, said the consignment has been sent as a follow up to the October 26 India-Sri Lanka joint statement, in which both sides decided India will provide humanitarian relief assistance in Sri Lanka.
I am happy to note that this substantial consignment has arrived in Colombo within three weeks of that decision. It is a combined effort of the Government of India and donations received from the people of Tamil Nadu. It is a gesture of goodwill and intended to bring some relief to civilians in the conflict areas, he said. The consignment consists of food, clothing, and personal hygiene items in 80,000 family packs. Mr. Prasad thanked Sri Lanka for facilitating the arrival and despatch of these items.
He thanked the ICRC for its role.
Edited By - chennaiguuy - 21 Nov 2008 05:01:11 GMT |