Protest to demand road reopening

[TamilNet, Friday, 09 August 2002, 00:36 GMT]
A protest demonstration will be staged Saturday if the public's demands for the immediate reopening of a section of the Palaly Road is not met by the Sri Lanka Army, the Valigamam South East Welfare Organizations Consortium said Thursday.

The organisation is urging the reopening of the road between Ariyakulam junction and Hospital Road junction.

The Consortium said that it would launch a picketing campaign on August 10 in Jaffna town. The announcement was made at a press conference Thursday evening presided by former Jaffna Municipal Commissioner Mr. C. V. K. Sivagnanam. Jaffna Mayor Mr.Sellan Kandiah also participated at the press conference.

The Consortium said it has sent a memorandum to the SLA’s Jaffna area commander, Major General Sarath Fonseka, in this regard.

"The closure of the particular Palaly Road has caused immense difficulties to students and public in travelling to the heart of the town where four schools and police station are located,” the memorandum said. “The people have been forced travel much further to reach their destinations. Hence we request you to open the particular road for public use."

The Sri Lanka Army says it has closed the road to ensure security for its installations located in the high security zone.