SLA cut downs use of A9 route to Jaffna due to security risks

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 March 2009, 15:56 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) which had earlier announced the opening of A9 land route to Jaffna has now limited its turns of transporting soldiers to 3 days in a week due to clashes breaking along the road and security risks, SLA sources in Jaffna said. Information on the days of transport is not disclosed and the convoy of busses takes the soldiers on vacation from Palaali to Vavuniyaa and back on unannounced days, three times a week.

SLA had been following the same procedure in the transport of soldiers between Jaffna and Trincomalee by the vessel ‘Jetliner’ in an irregular manner so as to avoid risks of being attacked on the sea.

The soldiers are transported from Palaali along A9 route to Vavuniyaa and from there to Anuradapura. The same procedure is followed in bringing soldiers back to Jaffna peninsula.

SLA uses more than 25 buses for this purpose and the last convoy of them took soldiers from Palaali to Vavuniyaa Sunday.

Meanwhile, Jaffna Government Agent, K. Ganesh, announced that ships carrying relief goods sent by the Commissioner of Essential Services left Colombo Sunday and will arrive at Kaangesanthu’rai harbour Tuesday.

The relief goods will be transported to the Government Stores located in Naavatku’li, the announcement said.

After a period of 18 years the A9 Jaffna-Kandy road was first used by SLA to bring troops to Jaffna from Vavuniyaa on 2nd March.

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