Opening of A9 is way to heavens for Jaffna folks

(March 10, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Guardian) Transport of essential goods to the North along the A-9 route commenced today, the 9th of March 2009 from the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment premises, Welisara at a function headed by Douglas Devananda, Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare with the noble aim of dawning a “New Era” to the Sri Lankan Tamil Speaking People in the North through honourable peace in an undivided country in line with the President, Mahinda Rajapakse’s “Mahinda Chinthana – National Renaissance” programme.

As the first consignment of essential goods, 100 Metric Tons of Sugar, 100 Metric Tons of Dahl, 65 Metric Tons of Coconut Oil and Vegetable Oil and 7 Metric Tons of Fruit in 8 Lorries, 13 container trucks and 3 freezer trucks left for Jaffna among the cheers of many, at the event.

Minister Douglas Devananda addressing the media personnel, stated that to people of the North including those in Jaffna opening of A-9 road was like opening gates to heaven and in the last few years due to closure of this road by the Tigers people of Jaffna experienced shortage of essential items and high prices despite striving efforts resorted to by the Government to send their requirements by sea and now the things would turn out to the better with immense potential for development in every respect.

Minister also said that he was ever grateful to the President for his progressive programme envisaged for heralding a “New Era” to the people of Jaffna and extended his sincere thanks to the valiant security forces for redeeming the people of the North from the clutches of Tiger Fascists and giving them a new lease of life to live in peace and harmony. -Sri Lanka Guardian