The Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters had lifted security restrictions in the Gurunagar area to facilitate restoration of civil life.

Acting Military spokesman Colonel Duminda Gamage said that people could now move freely without restrictions. He said that this was part of an ongoing plan to gradually lift restrictions imposed on civilians in the Jaffna peninsula.

Gurunagar had been under army control to prevent the LTTE from launching attacks on security forces.

The government recently resettled 96 families in the area and fishing restrictions too were lifted to help them resume normal lives.

This high security zone was in effect for around 15 years since the Army liberated the Jaffna peninsula from the Tamil rebels in 1995. The zone centered on Ceynor Jetty in Gurunagar, a major fisher community area in Jaffna.

The removal of the high security zone took place in a ceremony held under the auspices of the Jaffna Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe.