President urged to reopen roads in Valikamam North, Jaffna after decades

The Jaffna Presidential Palace in KKS is still under the custody of Security Forces and access lanes to the premises remain closed: File pix

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been urged to reopen the roads that remained closed for decades in the High Security Zone (HSZ) in Valikamam North, Jaffna even after fifteen years passed since the end of the war in 2009. 

Writing a letter to President Dissanayake, former Sri Lanka Freedom Pary (SLFP) MP representing Jaffna district Angajan Ramanathan requested the President to consider re-opening the roads in Jaffna as he directed officials to re-open roads - Janapadhi road (formerly Queens road) which was reopened for public use yesterday. 

The former MP requested President Dissanayake to consider re-opening four key roads that connect the region with other areas. The roads requested for reopening are Jaffna- Palaly Road (Eastern side), Achuveli- Vayavilan- Tholakatti Road, Vayavillan- Jaffna Airport Runway Side Road, and Kankesanthurai- Keerimalai Road (Presidential Palace road).

"The people of Jaffna have shown resilience and hope for peace and normalcy. Allowing these roads to reopen will be a strong symbol of reconciliation and development, addressing long standing concern and demonstrating your administrations' commitment to equitable development across all regions," the former MP said in the letter. (Northeastern Monitor/ Sept 27/2024)