Govt. decides on alternate route to A9
[Wednesday, November 8, 2006 - 9.30 GMT]

The Government has decided on an alternate route to the A9, which would be from Kilinochchi to Sangapittu Jetty (a distance of approximately 25 km) from which point a ferry service will be operated. 

Speaking at the weekly press briefing held at the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) today Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the LTTE at the October Geneva talks had cited the closure of the A9 highway as an impediment to talks. The spokesman pointed out that the A9 had to be closed from the Muhamalai checkpoint onwards due to continuous LTTE mortar attack on Muhamalai. From Kandy to Muhamalai the A9 continues without disruption, he said. 

"Muhamalai is still under attack and the damage to the infrastructure is immense", said Minister Rambukwella. 

He said the closure of the road from that point had reduced the LTTE's ability to abduct university students. These students are abducted and sent
for training as mercenaries and then paid according to the job carried out, such as Rs. 5000 for throwing a hand grenade or Rs. 15, 000 for placing a claymore mine.  

The Minister said the number of civilians on the LTTE payroll had also reduced by the closure, as well as the LTTE's ability to use civilians as shields at Forward Defence Lines. 

Minister Rambukwella said the Government had purchased two boats for the transporting of goods to Jaffna. He pointed out that if the LTTE was genuinely concerned about the civilians it would stop attacking the transport vehicles, since these were carrying free goods for the welfare of the people. 

The Defence spokesman went on to say the Government remained committed to safeguarding National Security, and Government policy was not to tolerate anything that threatened the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state.

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Last Updated Date: November 8, 2006 - 9.30 GMT