Archives

Traffic to flow again on Kandy-Jaffna road

The Government is awaiting a positive response from the LTTE to open the Kandy-Jaffna A9 trunk road to civilian traffic as soon as possible, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Refugees Minister Dr. Jayalath Jayawardane said in Jaffna yesterday.

Addressing a series of meetings and public receptions in Jaffna, Dr.Jayawardane said opening the vital A9 land route was a priority for the new government, which is committed to alleviate the suffering experienced by Northern residents.

The Minister said various aspects of opening the road were under consideration, including demining, which has to be carried out extensively in some areas.

He was in Jaffna on a two-day official visit, the first by a UNF government minister. Yesterday, he inspected some of the cleared stretches of the A9 road, including Chavakachcheri town.

The minister also discussed the A9 issue with Bishop of Jaffna Rev. Fr. Thomas Saundranayagam during a courtesy call. The Bishop explained that the A9 road was a vital lifeline to the people in the North, as only a few could afford to travel by air and sea.

Dr. Jayawardane told the Bishop of Jaffna that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was committed to solve the ethnic conflict and raise the living conditions of Northern and Eastern residents.

He added that with his visit and plans to open the A9 road, the government has started a peace bridge linking North and South. "We need the support of both North and South to achieve everlasting peace. Southerners have given us a mandate to achieve peace. But we may have to sacrifice a lot to achieve it. I am prepared to even risk my life. Ushering in peace will not be an easy task".

At a meeting with Jaffna MPs, the Government Agent and other senior officials on Sunday, the Minister announced further measures aimed at reducing the hardships faced by Northern residents.

These measures include: increasing the number of flights between Jaffna (Palaly) and Colombo (Ratmalana) and reducing the return airfare to Rs. 3000, increasing the frequency of sailings between key cities in the North-East and adding several new sea routes and removing many restrictions on fishing. Fishing hours have been extended.

The Minister also plans to conduct frequent mobile services in various parts of Jaffna with the participation of other line ministries. His Ministry which is now located in a high security zone will be shifted to a more convenient location and kept open for 24 hours.

Addressing officials and students at the Jaffna university last afternoon, Dr. Jayawardane said he was branded as an LTTE spy by the previous government because he stood for justice for the Vanni residents.

"I was accused of being the link between the UNP and the LTTE. I was the only candidate accused of having such links. Some opposition posters even described me as Jayakaran, a combination of Jayalath and Prabhakaran. Despite all this, I received an overwhelming mandate from the majority Sinhala people". He observed that both sides should "forget the past and look forward to the future".

The minister warned that attempts could be made to derail the peace process through acts of sabotage. Nevertheless, the government will never abandon the search for peace.

He outlined some of the measures already taken by the government in the direction of peace, including the Cessation of Hostilities and the transport of goods to the North sans an embargo.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager