The Government continues to focus its attention on delivering essential goods as well as development to the Jaffna Peninsula in the face of tremendous obstacles posed by the conflict, according to SCOPP team that recently visited the area.  

The team visited a total of 13 outlets in Kudathanai, Atchuweli and Jaffna and conducted distribution and price audits to ascertain the nature of the flow of goods and the stability of consumer prices in Jaffna. 

The team found that overall availability of food in Jaffna had improved and the prices of most essential items had stabilized.

The team also visited key infrastructure projects coordinated by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), including the housing project at Kudathanai. It was found that 76 houses had been completed and occupied (out of a total of 150 planned to be built). Rainer Frauenfeld, Country Director, UNOPS, said that the rest of the houses will be completed and handed over by August 25, 2007. He also said that 3 of the 5 schools to be constructed under the project had been completed and that the other two would be completed by mid October.

Meetings with the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce officials helped the team ascertain the problems faced by the trading community. They had pointed out the difficulties in transporting produce from Jaffna to markets in Colombo, the pilferage and damage of goods from Colombo, the high price of cement, and that livelihood opportunities are less. Action pertaining to these issues was discussed and SCOPP agreed to work with relevant bodies in Colombo help lessen inconveniences.

The Government Agent, Jaffna, Mr. Ganesh and the Bishop of Jaffna, Fr.Saundranayagam echoed the concerns of the Chamber of Commerce, but said that the governance structure in Jaffna had improved over the past two months.

SCOPP also met with Jaffna Commander, Major General Chandrasiri, who commended the work done by SCOPP and observed that it is a new dimension in the quest for peace and normalcy. He solicited SCOPP’s help to organize an education tour to Colombo for Jaffna students. Chandrasiri, responding to a question by Frauenfeld regarding the opening of the A-9 highway, explained the implications for security should this be done at this point.