Tamils rejoice A-9 opening

Tamil political leaders, religious prelates, intellectuals and a cross section of the people of the liberated areas of the Vanni jubilantly welcomed the opening of the A9 Kandy-Jaffna highway by the Security Forces fighting to free the Tamil people of the North from the clutches of LTTE terrorism and to restore democracy, normal life and peace.

Excerpts of comments:

Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) Leader V. Anandasangaree: “This definitely is a boon to the Tamil people of the North who waited all these years for this to happen. They now have the advantage of a land route unlike in the past two decades.

They had to encounter untold hardships in travelling to the northern peninsula, consequently to the closure of the highway by the LTTE. It had a negative impact on their life and economy and they were systematically led into penury. Prices of essential consumer items and other non-essential items sky rocketed and they encountered an economic crisis.

“But the Government never let down the Tamil people in spite of the fact that the LTTE had blockaded the land route.

The Government sent them essential food items and other consumer items through sea routes in cargo ships. This is something which the Tamil people will remain grateful to forever.

“Prior to the closure of the highway about 60 to 70 lorry-loads of agricultural products and seafood items used to arrive everyday in the South. They included vegetables. yams, fish, dried fish, prawns and banana. The lorries took back food items such as sugar, lentils etc. Under those circumstances prices of consumer items were almost on par in the North and the South. The people of the northern peninsula were considerably well off in their economy.

“The LTTE closed the A 9 road for their own selfish ends. They did not take into consideration the welfare of the people.

“Now that the highway has been re-opened the economy of the people of the northern peninsula will improve and prices of consumer items will come down. The opportunity will now be accorded for people to use the land route to travel to and fro without any problems.”

Writer Neervai Ponnayyan: “The re-opening of the A 9 highway will facilitate travelling on land. In the context of the fact that exorbitant amounts have to be spent today for undertaking journeys to the north, the facility to use the A 9 road will be a boon to the poor people.

“During wartime, people were imposed a tax for using the route, including those who transported goods for their personal use. I believe this difficulties will be eliminated now.

“Farmers of the North will immensely benefit under this new development. Their agricultural produce can now be brought to the Colombo market.”

Bramma Sri Ramachandra Gurukkal, Babu Sharma, International Hindu Religious Centre: “The opening of the A 9 road is a boon to the Tamil people. Similarly the Buddhists will be able to go to the Naga Vihara Buddhist temple.

“People of the northern peninsula encountered untold hardships due to the closure of the highway. They came to Colombo encountering many difficulties and problems. The opening of the road is God-sent to the Tamil people.

A golden era has now dawned. Under the present circumstances, the Tamil people have to fight hard to maintain their standard of living. The opening of the road will now pave the way for communal harmony and amity among the people of the north and the south.

This will lead to prosperity and mutual understanding. No doubt people of the whole island, irrespective of whether north or south, are delighted to know about this new development which will hugely benefit them.”

S. Kumara Rajan, Manager, Private Business Company: “The re-opening is a matter for delight. It was closed in 2006. We encountered many difficulties in travelling to the Jaffna peninsula. We had to travel either by air or sea spending huge amounts, over Rs. 20,000.

After the closure of the highway I never visited the northern peninsula to see my relatives. “We very much appreciate the opening of the road. The re-opening of the highway should pave the way for peace, amity and mutual understanding. That is the anticipation of all people.”

Pathmawathie (a temporary resident in Colombo from the North): “This is a good news for all of us. I have not seen my kith and kin living in the north for the last six years. I am looking forward to a country without war. People who used the sea route encountered various problems and difficulties.

Huge amount has to be spent for travelling by sea. People who used the land route in the past had to pay huge taxes and had to undergo formalities including obtaining of passes. This should not be the case in the future. They should be able to travel to the north without any problems.”

Shiva Shri Bala Ravishankar Gurukkal, Religious Dignitary: “I wish to convey my delight and joy on behalf of the Hindu religious priests on this occasion of good news. A 9 road was considered a bridge of friendship and goodwill between the people of the north and south.

All sections of the people should benefit under the re-opening of the highway. Normality should be restored in the northern peninsula. A 9 road is very essential for rehabilitation and reconstruction activities for the displaced people. Patients encountered great difficulties in the past due to the closure of the A 9 road. Let us forget the bitter experiences of the past and now build friendship and harmony.”

EPRLF (Pathmanabha Group) General Secretary Thirunavukarasu Sridaran: “This is a great boon. This was a long expected dream of all sections of the people. The economic and social life of the people of the Vanni depend on the A 9 road. They life will become meaningful only if the road is opened.

“Nobody should try to impede the re-opening of the road for the use public. Prices of consumer items and other goods will come down after the re-opening of the road and the common people will be able to fulfil their day to day requirements. Ordinary people cannot think of travelling by air. Through the re-opening, mutual understanding and goodwill between the people of the north and south will build up.”

K. Rajkumar, Wellawatte: “Both the people of the north and south are very happy over the re-opening of the A9 road. It will benefit all citizens. Artificial shortage and demand were created showing the road closure as a false reason. People were burdened. Demand was created for essential items. Goods brought from the South were subjected to heavy duties.

“A similar situation that prevailed prior to the ethnic problem should be restored. I am from the north and I want to show my children the soil of my birth. It is my desire to visit my native village with my family. I believe this will become a reality now. The basic problems of the people of the Vanni should be addressed after the re-opening of the A 9 road.

There will be a new awareness among the people of the south who undertake visits to the north. Assistance being extended to the Jaffna people should be extended to the Vanni people too. The Government should concentrate on rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected people. The Government can win the hearts of the Tamil people.”

Dharmalingam Sitharthan, former MP for Vanni District and leader of the PLOTE: “We are delighted over the re-opening of the A 9 road. People suffered immensely due to the closure of the road. It costs Rs. 25,000 to travel once to Jaffna. Even for that one had to wait and it was a difficult process. People were looking forward to the day of re-opening of the road. It has now been fulfilled.

“Agricultural produces of the north could not be brought to the South due to the closure of the road by the LTTE. Prices of consumer items and other goods sky rocketed in the Jaffna peninsula. Jaffna farmers and people were affected to a great extent.

The were longing for an end to this situation. That dream has now become a reality.

“Now that the road has been re-opened, people will be able to travel to and from without any difficulties and problems. Prices of all goods including consumer items will come down. Jaffna agricultural produces will come to Colombo markets. This will lead to economic prosperity to everyone. People will heave a sigh of relief.”