Tsunami rations

 
The government has decided to provide a relief package including food and other essential items amounting to Rs. 375 per week on the ration for each person displaced as a result of the tsunami disaster commencing from next week, said a press release issued by the Commissioner General of Essential Services.
The relief package is to be distributed among the displaced persons through the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation which will arrange these food items to be distributed to the respective regional stalls of the Multi-Purpose Co-operative Societies. The distribution of the relief package will be handled under the direct supervision and control of the respective District Secretaries and the Assistant Government Agents of the areas.
Under the program each individual displaced person is entitled to the following food rations for a week.
Rice/Wheat flour - 2800 grams, Dhal - 420 grams, Sugar - 140 grams, Cooking oil - 140 grams, Wheat Soya Mixture - 140 grams.
Baby milk powder, biscuits and canned fish will be included in this list according to availability.

The value of these provisions provided per person per week will be around Rs. 175. In addition goods to the value of Rs. 200, which may include fuel for domestic consumption, will also be provided making the total package amounting to Rs. 375 per person for each week.
It has been estimated that there are nearly 800,000 persons displaced as a result of the disaster. Many of them are at welfare centres while others have shifted to temporary dwellings or residences of their relatives and friends. Families which leave the relief camps will also receive these rations.

 
 
 
  The Commissioner General of Essential Services Tilak Ranaviraja, who is also the Chairman of the Task Force on Logistics and Law and Order will co-ordinate the programme at the national level. Ration cards titled Tsunami Relief Ration Card - 2005 are now being printed by the Government Printing Department. They are to be dispatched to the respective District Secretariats and AGA's offices by Monday.
The Divisional Secretary, through the Grama Niladhari should prepare lists of families entitled to benefits and forward same to the co-operatives. The rations will be distributed by the relevant regional co-operatives.