In reaction to heavy fighting, in particular in Muhamalai, the government of Sri Lanka closes the A9 highway, the only land link between the Jaffna peninsula and the rest of the country.
Between 1994 and 2002, the A9 remained permanently closed; with the start of the peace process in February 2002 the road was opened.
Source
Tough times continue for Jaffna residents, IRIN, 10 March 2008; Sri Lanka to open road to Jaffna, BBC, 20 November 2006.
Quotations
“The Government of Sri Lanka was compelled to temporarily close the A9 highway, entry/exit checkpoint at Muhamalai situated at the isthmus of the Jaffna peninsula on 11 August 2006. … The closure was necessitated due to the massive artillery and mortar attack launched by the LTTE on the government forces on that day which destroyed the entire infrastructure built by the GoSL at Muhamalai to facilitate the movement of people and goods. The GoSL is unable to open the checkpoint until the area is safe for the movement of civilians and supplies and until it can be assured that national security will not be compromised.” Government of Sri Lanka statement.
“Surely the government can find a way to open the A9 highway at least for humanitarian purposes, and negotiate with the LTTE about the issues that concern it? As these matters concern the humanitarian interests of the Tamil people, the LTTE will also be motivated to cooperate. The opening of the A9 highway could be the first step to opening the door to peace and the opening of the A9 to negotiations on the core principles of the final solution.” Jehan Perera, National Peace Council, Sri Lanka reels under humanitarian crisis, 9 November 2006.
“This road remains to be the main source of local income to the LTTE who patrol a stretch of this road from Muhamalai to Omanthai in the Northern Province. … It is believed that the LTTE daily collects more than Rs. 900,000 in the form of illegal tax and other revenue in [sic] this road. From Omanthai in the cleared area, an average of 7000-8000 civilians and 1000- 1200 vehicles cross the stretch of land daily.” A-9 Issue a ploy of the LTTE to avert peace talks, 7 November 2006, Ministry of Defence.
“The single road into the area, the A9, was an economic and humanitarian lifeline for Jaffna’s residents. Everything from food, basic commodities, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, even reconstruction materials, was soon in short supply.” Boosting food and livestock production in conflict-hit Jaffna, IRIN, 3 June 2008.
Related events
22 February 2002
20 May 2002
28 October 2006
