After 24 Years….
“We welcome you to JAFFNA Peninsula …......!!!”
“We welcome you to JAFFNA Peninsula …......!!!”
THE SRI LANKA ARMY, born at the end of the Second World War and the dawn of Independence of the country marked one more milestone today (2nd March 2009) when it ceremoniously re-opened the A-9 Jaffna-Kandy Highway Main Supply Route (MSR) for military traffic after a lapse of twenty-four years.
Two brief but dignified military ceremonies in Anuradhapura, Omanthai in Vavuniya and Elephant Pass in Jaffna saw two convoys of the Sri Lanka Army troopers proceeding home on leave and back from leave meet each other on the way to exchange warm and memorable greetings since their overland tour assumed historic importance for Mother Lanka, plagued by the scourge of terrorism that spanned for over thirty years.
The Jaffna-bound convoy of valiant troops returning after leave started off from Anuradhapura and reached Omanthai to be received warmly by Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander, Security Forces in Vanni and senior officers present at the venue. Minutes after they got off their National flag carrying buses, Buddhist monks, giving pride of place to religious sentiments, began chanting Seth Pirith in order to invoke blessings of the Triple Gem on the passage of those soldiers. The moment was solemn and triumphant as fluttering National and Army flags on masts added colour to the significant event. A special treat served with traditional milk rice and other sweet-meats symbolized the auspicious nature of this important event. Amidst hails of greetings and best wishes, the Jaffna bound convoy afterwards left for Jaffna .
The same ceremonial procedures were observed by their Jaffna counterparts at Palaly and Elephant Pass who commenced their south-bound journey towards Vavuniya. Commander Security Forces Jaffna Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe received them warmly at Elephant Pass where Buddhist rites were performed and the convoy was blessed reciting Seth Pirith.
Deputy Incumbent of Jaffna Sri Naga Vihara Ven. Meegahajandure Sirinivasa Thero, Ven. Dehipe Vanaratana Thero and Ven. Thalalle Dhammadeva Thero performed the religious observances at the occasion at the Elephnat Pass Overland supplies to the troops of the tri-services in the Jaffna peninsula along this world-famous A-9 Road remained cut off for the last twenty-four years as a result of the LTTE terrorism. Forty lorries carrying troops bound for Anuradhapura and Jaffna met each other on the way this afternoon after conclusion of religious ceremonies.
Terrorists on 19th January 1985 blasted the ‘Yaldevi’ passenger train and the rail track in Murukandi, Kilinochchi. A few years later on 13th July 1990 terrorists overran the Army detachment in Kokavil. The tactical withdrawal of the garrison from Kilinochchi area in the same year (1990) led the terrorists to be on their own as troops in Mankulam also moved out following logistics in terms of supplies and administrative matters by August 1990. The A-9 Highway was closed again after terrorists attacked the Pooneryn defences which in turn posed a threat to Elephant Pass defences in 1993.
As terrorism spread its wings in the entire Vanni sector taking political leadership for a ride from time to time, the highway remained almost dead as imposition of LTTE’s illegal ‘taxes’ and extortions escalated.
On 17th February 2002, the A-9 highway up to Kilinochchi from Omanthai was re-opened after signing the infamous Cease-fire Agreement with terrorists. The entire A-9 Highway was again re-opened completely on 8th April 2002.
As Tigers under the cover of the so-called truce systematically intensified their attacks on un-armed soldiers and civilians alike with the motive of provoking troops committed to the Agreement, the government has had no other alternative but to order the troops to act in self-defence. The situation worsened as terrorists struck a devastating blow on the troops at Muhamale Entry/Exit point. Troops countered the attacks and finally closed down the Muhamale Entry/Exit point indefinitely on 11th October 2006 as the terrorists had unilaterally exited from the Agreement.
Monday’s re-opening will certainly be a big step forward in the liberation of the entire country from grips of terrorism for the sake of the next generation and the generation yet to be born in this resplendent island of ours, yours and mine.
