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A9
roadblock over bus operation
By Nilika de Silva and Sunil Jayatillake
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A group
representing villagers in the Polonnaruwa area was in Colombo
this week to make representations to the international monitors
about their grievance in the wake of alleged harassment and
extortion by LTTE cadres in the east. Initially they were
denied an opportunity to make representations, but later given
an opportunity. In the picture the group consisting of representatives
of Muslims, Tamils and Sinhalese are seen meeting with one
of the monitors, Nils Lundin, at Hotel Oberoi where the temporary
head office of the monitoring team is situated. Pic by
M.A. Pushpakumara
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The much-awaited
opening of the A9 land route linking Jaffna with the rest of the
country will not take place as scheduled tomorrow due to a disagreement
over passengers travelling directly to the north through LTTE-held
areas. The LTTE was yet to give permission for passengers from the
south to travel to the Jaffna peninsula through the Wanni region.
In anticipation of the opening of the road, the Sri Lanka Transport
Board was keeping 10 buses ready to be operated from Colombo, but
has not been given the go ahead yet. The Central Bus Stand was inundated
with inquiries about travel arrangements to Jaffna.
The A9 road was cleared of mines hurriedly over the week and was
motorable by Friday with Vavuniya Government Agent K. Ganesh taking
one of the first trips by road on the same day. The Sunday Times
learns that the LTTE is not yet willing to allow buses carrying
civilians to operate to the Jaffna peninsula and wants the passengers
to use the LTTE bus service. The LTTE also has announced plans to
operate its own bus service to Colombo from Jaffna.
Despite the road not being fully opened for civilians, a peace march
organised by the Ministry of Interior yesterday took off from Colombo
and is due to enter the Wanni area on Tuesday. The peace march group
has been given permission to travel to the north. The persons proceeding
to Jaffna on the peace tour will be allowed to proceed only on bicycles
and three-wheelers along the A 9 road.
The Sunday Times learns the government has been keen that the road
should be fully opened for civilians and they should not be subject
to checks by the LTTE.
The cease-fire agreement which came into effect on February 23 says,
"The parties shall open the Kandy-Jaffna road (A9) to non-military
traffic of goods and passengers. Specific modalities shall be worked
out by the parties with the assistance of the Royal Norwegian Government
by D-day + 30 at the latest."
Meanwhile Bernard Gunatilleke, Director General of the Peace Secretariat,
has written to ICRC chief Isabella Barras, seeking assistance for
the Private Bus operators based in Colombo to operate bus services
to Jaffna directly.
The letter followed a request made by the Lanka Private Bus Owners
Association in Colombo.
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