A-9 Jaffna - Kandy main highway reopened today (July 22), for the general public, after a lapse of 19 years due to terrorism.

A group of civilians joined the first journey by public transport on the A-9 this morning heading to Medawachchiya in the North Central Province, from the Dureappa grounds in Jaffna in five state owned buses. The five buses carrying 225 passengers to Medawachchiya are now on the way to its destination, official sources said.

Passengers to the Jaffna Peninsula were compelled to travel by sea and air at high cost for the past several years due to the terrorism of the LTTE.

The reopening of the A-9 gives an opportunity to civilians to travel between Jaffna to Colombo at a concessionary price. Travelers can get a bus ticket From Jaffna to Colombo at Rs. 325.00.

Three domestic aviation companies currently operate regular flights to the northern Jaffna peninsula. The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is ready to launch domestic commercial flights at a reduced price.

Due to terrorism of the LTTE the A-9 highway was closed in 1984. Since then, parts of it were at times under the control of the LTTE. Although the highway was ceremonially reopened up to Kilinochchi after the Ceasefire of 2002, there were many restrictions on travel as around 20% of the highway ran through the LTTE controlled areas, when the LTTE imposed "Customs" checkpoints and levied illegal taxes and other charges from travelers using the A9.

After fighting resumed between government forces and the terrorists, the road was closed again in 2006. After mounting a series of offensives against the LTTE, the Sri Lankan Army brought the entire highway under its control on January 9, 2009, with the freeing of the strategic Elephant Pass area. This was the first time in 23 years that the government gained full control of the entire highway.

Before the A-9 was liberated, the road had two highly guarded Military and LTTE entry/exit points at Omanthai and at Muhamalai. The LTTE collected ransom from travelers of the A9 Road at their entry/exit points.

The Government opened the A9 highway on several occasions after the route was liberated this year on a priority basis for the transport of military convoys and goods.

On March 02 the first Army convoy traveled along the A9 road from Anuradhapura to Jaffna after 23 years. Nearly 600 soldiers traveled on 20 buses. On March 15 the first food convoy carrying essentials consumer goods to the Jaffna peninsula traveled along the A9 since the end of the war. The convoy of more than 25 Lorries and containers carried over 350 metric tons of essentials food items.

On June 18 essential items to Jaffna were transported along the route for the first time using private trucks. The government permitted 40 trucks to transport items to Jaffna. On July 22, 210 passengers were transported in five busses along the A9 road.