Provide essential supplies to curfew-affected areas: SJB

By Asiri Fernando

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday called on the Government to expedite delivery of essential food items to the public in areas where quarantine curfew regulations have been in effect for

SJP Parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna

four days. 

SJB Parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna addressing the media charged that the Government had failed to put in place the emergency supply mechanisms which were used during the islandwide curfew for the people of Gampaha District. 

“This is affecting many people in the Gampaha District and in surrounding areas; people were not given time to collect essential items before the curfew was imposed. Some low-income families are facing serious hardships,” Rajakaruna stated, questioning why contingency plans had not been enacted to deliver relief supplies through divisional secretariats or other Government agencies.  

Rajakaruna said that he had received complaints from the public in Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda Police divisions, which had curfew imposed last weekend, stating they were running out of food items. 

“There was a system introduced earlier where essential food items and relief packages were delivered by vehicles to the public, ensuring public health guidelines were followed; it was coordinated by Government and local offices, but today this system is inactive, why is that?” he complained. He called on the Government to enact the delivery mechanism as a matter of priority.   

“This will not only affect people in Gampaha, we have the Colombo District as our neighbours; what will happen if it spreads to Colombo District? The situation in Gampaha is very serious, but the necessary decisions have not been taken on time,” he complained, claiming that some localities where COVID-19 patients had been detected had not been brought under curfew even after several days had lapsed. 

The SJB Parliamentarian said that the Opposition was not trying to use the latest COVID-19 outbreak for its political advantage. However, he stated that the Government must act swiftly to remedy the challenges faced by those in the high-risk areas where curfew had been imposed for several days.