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| Sunday, 3 February 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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All set to re-open closed Jaffna road by P. KRISHNASAMY Arrangements are in place for the re-opening of the A9 road (Kandy Road) from Vavuniya to Jaffna. Both Government officials as well the LTTE leadership have indicated that work is under way for the rehabilitation of the entire stretch of the closed highway. This land link would facilitate passage of people, transport of goods and fuel to Jaffna as well as the resettlement of displaced people in their original villages flanking the A9 road. Two weeks ago, a checkpoint was established at Omanthai, about 18 kms north of Vavuniya, as a first step towards the eventual re-opening of the highway. Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena, told the Sunday Observer that the question of re-opening the A9 road was under review of the government and both the LTTE and the government had discussions over it, through the mediation of the Norwegian peace delegation. There were positive signs on the possibility of re-opening of the road within the next few weeks, the minister said. Hindu Religious Affairs Minister and MP for Jaffna, T. Maheswaran, said that the government security forces would complete the process of clearing the 20 km distance from Jaffna to Eludumadduval, South of Chavakachcheri, on the A9 road within the next few days, although it might take about another 10 days for the LTTE to clear the nearly 90 km road from Eludumadduval to Omanthai. The LTTE political leader S.P. Thamil Chelvan revealed at a press meeting held at the LTTE office in Mallavi on January 17, that it had no reservations in re-opening the stretch of the road in the area under their control. Vavuniya GA, K. Ganesh, also confirmed that negotiations were under way for the re-opening of the A9 road which was likely to take place by mid-February. This arrangement would facilitate the return of about 100,000 displaced people from the uncleared areas to their homes situated between Omanthai and Eludumadduval besides providing access to Kilinochchi, Nedunkerni, Puliyankulam, Mallavi and Thunukkai in the uncleared Vanni areas. |
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