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by Ranil Wijayapala

Army personnel engaged in the de-mining process of the A-9 highway is ready to complete their task by February 14 to facilitate the opening of the Jaffna Kandy A9 highway on February 15 as scheduled, Military Spokesman Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne told the Daily News yesterday.

He said the engineering troops yesterday too engaged in the de-mining process to complete their task as demarcated by the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC).

The de-mining of Uyilankulam, the other proposed entry point to Vanni also completed by the Army personnel. "The engineering troops have not found any mine in this area but assured the safety by inspecting the entire area", the Brigadier added.

The troops engaged in the de-mining in Omanthai on the Jaffna-Kandy highway recovered 681 anti personnel mines and seven anti-tank mines by Sunday evening and that will be further increased by the time they complete their task, he added.

"They are ready to complete their task at least by February 14 evening", he added

The LTTE also commenced the de-mining of Jaffna-Kandy highway on February 6 in the presence of the ICRC in Omanthai and later in Uyilankulam.

With the opening of the Jaffna Kandy highway at Omanthai and the opening of Uyilankulam entry point on the Vavuniya Mannar route will lead to the closure of Piramanlankulam check point which is the sole entry point to LTTE held areas in the Vanni.

The official sources in Vavuniya said despite the completion of the de-mining process there will be practical problems regarding the providing of facilities for the civilians on their journey to Jaffna or Vavuniya after the reopening of this vital route. 

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