A-9 opening will greatly benefit people of Jaffna - Minister Athaullah

Mohammed Naalir

The opening of the A-9 Road will enable Muslims who were driven out by the LTTE in 1991 and Tamils who fled through fear and threat to visit Jaffna again, said National Congress Leader and Minister of Water Supply and Drainage A.L.M. Athaullah.

He said the peaceful situation in Jaffna will help people restart their business activities.

He said the Tamils have suffered the most due to LTTE terrorism and requested the Government to provide the necessary protection and assistance to those returning to start their businesses.

Minister Athaullah praised President Mahinda Rajapaksa for giving the correct leadership to the Security Forces to defeat terrorism and liberate the Tamil civilians from the clutches of the LTTE. "Past Governments used the war to build their image among the international community. The LTTE used these opportunities to build up their military capability," he said. He said the military defeat of the LTTE means a victory for democracy and the masses.