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A9 talks with Norwegian facilitation

by Douglas Ayling

Negotiations regarding the opening of the A9 to commercial transport continued yesterday - missing the agreed deadline for the opening of the road. The discussions have been ongoing between the Government and LTTE representatives, under the aegis of Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg. Although the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission was not formally involved in what it described as "these political matters", the Norwegian Ambassador acted as a facilitator.

By yesterday evening it became clear that no decision would be forthcoming. Mr Bernard Goonathilaka, Director General of the National Peace Secretariat explained that, "The matter will be taken up by the Norwegian side with the LTTE, within the next 24 hours".

Head of the Norwegian Mission Mr Trond Furuhovde yesterday confirmed that no decision had yet been conveyed to the SLMM, and added that, "however, I expect that they are just about to find a solution". Asked whether the LTTE were eager to implement their own bus service between Omanthai and Muhamalai, Mr Furuhovde replied "I think so". Mr Goonathilaka also confirmed that already "there seems to be a bus company sponsored by the LTTE, operating".

At present, whilst the LTTE have agreed to allow private busses to use the A9, the Private Bus Operators Association (PBOA) is still waiting for A9 route permits to be issued by the Ministry of Transport. Furthermore, the PBOA has declined to run A9 commercial services until the state bus service also undertakes A9 services.

However the Sri Lanka Central Transport Board claims that it is ready to start running services. It is now waiting for Ministry authorization.

According to Mr Arjuna Ranawana, Information Officer of the International Committee of the Red Cross, some 2000 to 3000 people cross between LTTE-held and Government-held areas everyday, "sometimes more".

Some arrive by private vehicles, others arrive in public transport and stop outside the 600 meter wide no-man's land. They are then conveyed to the other side by busses donated by NGOs, civilian organisations and the Government, driving under the Red Cross flag. In one area the terrain is such that the ICRC uses a tractor to transport passengers across.

The Head of Mission Mr Furuhovde also explained that the SLMM would not be involved in the Asian Development Bank-backed programme to improve the A9 road.

"That is also a political question which we are not involved in. We are only sticking to the Agreement, so all kinds of political effects stemming from it are dealt with by the parties with the help of the facilitator," he said.

The ADB program drew harsh criticism from opposition parties on Tuesday when it was revealed that the ADB Country Director Mr John Cooney had directly engaged the LTTE in negotiations concerning the implementation of the A9 improvement programme. A spokesman for the ADB was yesterday keen to stress the impartiality of the ADB which held these discussions in the Wanni on April 19th.

"We visited the north-east and met the government officials and army officials and also some of the LTTE officials. We explained how we were going to implement the project," the spokesman said.

Whilst the opposition parties balked at the LTTE's reported insistence that the LTTE be consulted over A9 improvement work, the ADB spokesman denied that the LTTE had secured contracts for the work. He said "we told them we have to follow the ADB guidelines to offer the tender and to identify the contract".

The $3.5 million set aside for rehabilitation of the A9 comes from the remainder of an original $55 million soft loan made to the Sri Lankan Government by the ADB. Whilst the $55 million has been dedicated to road improvement work, due to projects running under-budget and coupled with the fluctuation of the dollar, it has become possible to designate $3.5 million of this loan money to begin "the urgent rehabilitation" of the A9 road.

The rehabilitation of the A9 is expected to be completed by 31st December 2003, and will be carried out by the private sector under contract to the Urban Development Authority. Improvement work will also be done simultaneously on other roads in the area including the road to Kilinochchi. 

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