A9 reopened, SLA authorities in Jaffna not informed

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 November 2009, 07:54 GMT]
The A-9 highway was opened to the public Friday on a special directive by President Mahinda Rajapakse, Governor of the Northern Province G.A Chandrasiri said. However, when Colombo bound passengers went to Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya in Jaffna Saturday morning, they were informed by the SLA that they have not received official information from Colombo and only those who have the military passes in possession were allowed to travel.

The move comes following a lengthy discussion held between the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Governor Chandrasiri (ex-military SLA commander of Jaffna ) to have the A-9 highway open to the public.

People from all parts of the country, and the transportation of the goods could now proceed to and from commenced today on this highway.

Any person using this highway will only have to produce the Sri Lankan National identity card, the passport or the driving license.

Buses plying to Jaffna will be subjected to normal security checks by the Sri Lankan Defence , Public Security, Law and Peace Ministries.

The SLTB commenced direct buses from Colombo to Jaffna.

While the Sri Lankan government relaxed the travel restrictions for entering and leaving Jaffna, the instruction was not officially informed to SL Military authorities in Jaffna.