The government has permitted Indian traders to supply essential goods directly to Jaffna, but denies there was a food shortage in the region. Government spokesman and Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told yesterday’s cabinet press briefing.

Indian traders were exporting essentials such as rice , flour, dhal and sugar to Jaffna, but that does not mean there is a scarcity of food.

"Two ships loaded with essential items have been dispatched to Jaffna. The Jaffna Government Agent P. Ganesh says there is enough food. The shortage relates to some spices."

Asked how prices were skyrocketing if there was sufficient food ,Yapa said it must be the work of some traders. "They try to make the maximum in situations like this."

He said that some were trying to make out that the Jaffna people were suffering and the government was doing nothing about it, but that was far from the truth.

"We are attending to the Northern peoples needs. They will not be abandoned just because the LTTE keeps firing artillery at the security forces."

Yapa, said the government was unable to open the A 9 highway because LTTE attacks were continuing even after the Geneva talks.