SLA urged to reopen Nagarkovil main road

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 April 2002, 19:13 GMT]
The Divisional Secretary (DS) of Point Pedro and education officials in the Vadamaradchi area in Jaffna district have appealed to the Sri Lanka Army to reopen the main road from Point Pedro through Nagar Kovil to Aliyawallai to enable smooth functioning of schools and to allow free movement of resettled families.

The main road has been closed since SLA took control over the coastal village of Nagarkovil in 1997. and has established a major camp at Nagarkovil blocking the main road.

Displaced civilians from the villages of villages of Mamunai, Semibianpathu, Maruthankerni, Thalaiyadi, Uduthurai and Aliyawallai, which are situated beyond Nagarkovil are returning to their villages following the ceasefire agreement. The road closure has placed severe burden on these families to carry out their daily activities, sources said.

Most Principals and teachers who serve in schools, which are scheduled to be reopened on May 1 in these villages which come under the purview of the Point Pedro divisional secretariat, have to travel through Point Pedro-Nagarkovil main road.

Vadamaradchi Zonal Director of education Mr.V.T.Selvaretnam has informed the Provincial Ministry of Education that teachers and principals, who have been transferred to these schools are not willing to go because of the closure of the main road at Nagarkovil.