Oct 11, Colombo: Sri Lanka government said yesterday a second food shipment is ready to be sent to the embattled northern region of Wanni.

The Commissioner General of Essential Services S.B. Divaratne said yesterday in a meeting with UN and other humanitarian agencies that a second convoy of 50 trucks carrying 750 metric tons of food is currently being loaded.

Divaratne said that the first convoy of 650 MT of food has already been distributed. He said in addition 20 trucks carrying essential items are being sent daily to the Wanni region.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who chaired the meeting said the government is taking maximum efforts to maintain adequate and continuous medical supplies and other emergency assistance to the Wanni on a regular basis, and is working closely with the UN and its specialized agencies, for this purpose. Several UN staff members accompany the convoys to ensure effective and speedy distribution of food and other relief items to the displaced people.