Central Transport Board launches:
Colombo-Jaffna bus service
Government restrengthens North - South link:
Ranil WIJAYAPALA and Mahinda ALUTHGEDARA in Jaffna
The Government yesterday restrengthened the link between the South
and the North with the symbolical restarting of the Jaffna � Colombo CTB
bus service along the A-9 road which was abandoned for the past two
decades, enabling the people of Jaffna to reach the South through a land
route.
Senior Presidential Advisor and MP Basil Rajapaksa inaugurated this
bus service from Jaffna after deploying five buses from the Jaffna
depot.
The five buses taking 225 passengers started their journey towards
Colombo at 10.32 a.m from Duraiappa Stadium via Medwacchiya and then to
Colombo.
The commencement of the bus service would be a direct result of the
liberation of the entire country from the clutches of the LTTE by the
Security Forces, as it had enabled to enshrine the Northern people who
had been subjected to a decade of suffering at the hand of the LTTE,
with their basic rights and facilities.
Transport services to Jaffna on the A-9 road came to a complete stand
still on August 11, 2006 with the escalation of battles between the
Security Forces and the LTTE and the transport service was recommenced
only in April this year with the resumption of troop movements along the
A-9 road and later with the commencement of transportation of essential
goods.
Road Passenger Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Northern
Province Governor Major General G.A Chandrasiri participated at the
inauguration of this bus service which was held at the Durai Appa
Stadium yesterday morning.
Five buses flying national flags and decorated with coconut flowers
to suit this historic occasion proceeded along the A-9 road under the
protection of the Sri Lanka Army and the Police on its journey to
Colombo via Medawachchiya.
The Sri Lanka Army and the Police has assured the protection of these
buses throughout its journey from Jaffna to Colombo.
The Transport Ministry commenced this bus service for the convenience
of the Jaffna population charging a concessionary fare of Rs.325 for
their 400 km journey from Jaffna to Colombo .
�Further steps will be taken to streamline the Colombo Jaffna bus
service after providing necessary facilities to strengthen the service�,
Jaffna Government Agent K. Ganesh said.
The completion of the de-mining process and establishing facilities
along the A-9 road between Omanthai and Muhamalai has to be developed
further to expand the bus services and the inauguration of the bus
service was only a first step towards resuming normal bus services along
the road.
A spokesman for the Transport Ministry told the Daily News that
although the bus service was symbolically inaugurated yesterday the
Transport Ministry will take steps to start bus service between Jaffna
and Medawachchiya within the next two weeks on a daily basis enabling
the passengers to reach Medawachchiya and then proceed towards Colombo.
He however said a restricted number of passengers will be allowed to
use this service which will operate along the A-9 road with military
escort.
The inauguration of this bus service will definateley bring a sigh of
relief for the people of Jaffna as they had either to fly to Ratmalana
or sail to Trincomalee in order to reach Colombo to attend to their
requirements.
On a request made by the Government the internal airline operators
agreed to reduce the air fares between Colombo and Jaffna for the
convenience of the Jaffna population. |