Delegation headed by GOSL
When the delegation from Colombo visited Omanthai in early July that consist of the SCOPP officials and the Federation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry(FCCISL), the local chambers and the people of Vavuniya discussed this issue given that prices of essential items was in the increase in the Vanni. Subsequently the Head of the government Peace Secretariat Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe took the matter up with the higher officials of the Ministry of Defence and the ICRC.  The Defence Secretary was totally in agreement that ICRC needs to facilitate this issue with discussions with the LTTE that even brought out in the discussions with the United Nations under Secretary John Holmes.

On the 24th of July(WILL CHECK DATE), the Omanthai check pint was once again operational for a 5 days duration –Monday to Friday. The Government Peace secretariat was in the view that access to and from Vanni should be available during all 7 days of the week trade can take place between the Soth of the country and vanni  just like any other part of the country given that it’s a sovereign state said the Director Economic Affairs of SCOPP Rohantha Athukorala.

Establishing a Whole Sale Centre
Earlier this year on a the recommendation made by the District Chambers of Killinochchi a Whole Sale Distribution Center was established in Killinochchi to accommodate a warehouse facility for sufficient buffer    stocks in the Vanni areas. It is a known fact that the LTTE deliberately creates shortages of supplies of essential goods. The officials of the Federation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL) who are from the private sector are committed to be a part of these strenuous efforts of the Government to meet the demands of the people in Vanni and Jaffna. ‘Time has come for us to work towards the people of this country be they from the North or the South’ said one of the CEO’s of the District Chambers, when asked why they initiated such a programme.

The Ealanatham, a Killinochchi daily on the 18 February 2007, just three weeks before the LTTE Peace Secretariat report, advertised the maximum retail prices that could be levied by a trader in the area. This price list gives the reader a better understanding of how the prices of essential goods are being reduced and of how the supply of same was uninterrupted. The Government has done its utmost to bring normalcy for the people of Vanni.  The Opening of the Omantahi check point to 5 days a week will further help this effort said  Athukorala.

Another 3105 MT of Items in the process of delivery to the Vanni
On the 15th of March the Government approved yet another request from the Killinochchi district for the supply of 2600 MT of items once again co-ordinated by the FCCISL. All necessary arrangements were made at the Omanthai check point for the smooth transportation of these items for items including general hardware, electrical items, bicycles, bicycle spare parts, tyres and tubes, roofing sheets and sewing machines.