A-9 highway is open from today, June 17, for private traders to transport essential goods following the defeat of terrorism in the North.

The first batch of 20 Lorries carrying essential food items is scheduled to reach Jaffna today, reported the Essential Services Department.

The opening of the A-9 to the private trade is expected to have a major impact on reducing the prices of essential goods in the North. The south too will soon have more reduce from the North.

Transporting food and other items for security forces along the A9 highway was already in progress since the liberation of the route from LTTE, several months ago.