Colombo: A vital road link between Colombo and the northern Sri Lankan city of Jaffna is now open for passenger movement, with people allowed to travel without a security clearance certificate that was required earlier.
With the opening of the A-9 Jaffna-Kandy main highway, the process that started in July following the defeat of the LTTE, Sri Lankans can travel to Jaffna from Colombo or vice versa with eased restrictions, Wanni Security Forces Commander Major General Kamal Gunaratne said.
He said security will be relaxed and there will be checkpoints for random and compulsory checking of passengers, the state run Sunday Observer reported.
"People must have the National Identity Card (NIC) or any other document to prove that they are citizens of the country and no one will be restricted," he said.
The process started in July this year, when after a lapse of 19 years, restricted travel by road was permitted between Colombo and Jaffna.
The highway, which was earlier under the LTTE controlled area, was then thrown open for the general public and a group of civilians joined the first journey to Jaffna on the A-9 in July in five state-owned buses.
Prior to that passengers to the Jaffna Peninsula had to travel by the sea and expensive air for the past several years due to terror threat. Three domestic aviation companies currently operate regular flights to the northern Jaffna peninsula.
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has also decided to launch domestic commercial flights at a reduced price.
With the resumption of transport there has been a flow of goods in both directions improving availability of essential items and reducing prices.
Southern Sri Lanka is expected to benefit immensely from the availability of vegetables and fruits grown in Jaffna and other adjacent areas. These include potatoes, chillies, red onions and mangoes, besides an increased supply of fish.
Cultivators in Jaffna, especially grape growers are also expected to benefit immensely from the free flow of goods.
The first major consignment from Jaffna to Colombo was undertaken with much fanfare in June, with 28 lorry loads of northern produce, including two freezer truck loads of famed crabs and prawns dispatched to the Sri Lankan capital.
The lifting of restrictions on fishing is also said to be having a beneficial effect on selling prices for the fishermen in the North.
Bureau Report