STEPS TO PEACE: Army officers, political leaders and clergy lead the first group of civilian travellers heading North along the newly opened stretch of the A9 Jaffna-Kandy Road on Friday near Omanthai, after the barriers were lifted. Brief ceremonies on the Army and LTTE sides of the frontilines at Omanthai marked the re-opening of the stretch of the A9 from Vavuniay to Kilinochchi. - (Photo: Army release)