SLA refuses to allow Thondamanaru bridge reconstruction

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 July 2005, 03:42 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has again refused permission for the Jaffna civil authorities to commence reconstruction work on the bridge over the Thondamanaru lagoon, which connects Valigamam north and Vadamaradchchi division in the Jaffna district district secretariat sources said. The Thondamannaru Bridge was destroyed during the military operation SLA launched in 1987.

Thondamannaru Bridge is the main access to Valvettithurai and Valalai areas via Achchuveli Road and Palaly Airport Road.

Mr.K.Ganesh, Jaffna District Government Agent last week made a fresh attempt to obtain permission from the SLA authorities to commence reconstruction work of the bridge enabling the resettlement of about eight hundred internally displaced families in state lands in Valalai area in Valigamam north which is located in the close proximity of the high security zone, district secretariat sources said.

Valigamam North Fisheries Societies welcomed the move of the GA, which would help them to recommence fishing.

The SLA turned down the request made by civil officials to obtain permission of the security establishment to commence reconstruction of the bridge for security reason. Earlier also the SLA refused permission to grant permission for this project, sources said.

Many training facilities for SLA soldiers are located in vicinity of the Thondamanaru lagoon area, residents said.