Food, medicine delivery programmes reviewed

A special meeting of the Special Presidential Task Force on Essential Services which was held at Temple Trees today has decided to maintain and streamline the distribution of essential supplies.

 

The current supply and distribution of essential supplies was comprehensively reviewed as the country battles an outbreak of COVID-19. It was decided to review the ongoing program of providing essential items including food to those who have not been able to get them although they have cash-in-hand.

 

Officials from the postal department were engaged in discussions over a program to supply medicines. It was also mentioned that many sections of the society who did not have cash in hand could not stock up on essentials and it was decided that a mechanism would be suggested for individuals to withdraw cash.

 

Meanwhile the programme to grant an allowance of Rs.5000 to Samurdhi recipients would be completed by tomorrow.

 

Attention was also drawn to provide relief measures for families who are suffering from the loss of jobs due to the Coronavirus pandemic, who were not included in the government’s assistance list. It was also recommended to boost production of food items locally and for achieving self-sufficiency in rice, vegetables, fish and poultry by next season and to maintain the livestock industry in Sri Lanka by improving the supply and transport of animal feed.