The government has decided to relax stringent security procedure that prevailed on the transportation of goods to the North. Under the new arrangements permitted cargos will not unload at main security check points, including Medawachchiya.

On the instructions of the Defense Secretary, the permitted cargos, being taken to the North will no longer be unloaded at the Medawachchiya security check point from July 1. The check point at Hathare Kotuva junction in Habarana and the check point at Batticaloa junction will also follow the same procedure, said Jayantha Gamage, a Senior Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

But, the cargos, from Jaffna to Colombo are checked under the earlier procedure. The personnel and vehicle checks would also carry on, he added.

Due to the operations against LTTE, all vehicles and people arriving at Medawachchiya from both North and South were subjected to stringent security checks.

The relaxation of the security procedure is aimed at facilitating the flow of transport to the north to speed up the reconstruction drive there.