26.11.2008

With the opening of the 81 km long A-32 land route linking the Northern peninsula with the rest of the country, the Government has allocated Rs. 500 million for the upgrading of the road system, Defence Spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Accordingly swift measures have been taken to develop the highway system which will avert difficulties experienced due to the unavailability of a land route especially for Jaffna civilians to move to the other parts of the country, Minister Rambukwella said at the weekly defence briefing held in Colombo today (26).

He also emphasized that a fully fledged mechanism is in operation regulated by the Government while a separate programme has been introduced to look into the needs of the persons displaced due to terrorist activities in the region.

"About 309 civilians have crossed over to the Government controlled areas seeking the protection of the security forces via the Omanthai entry/exit point and the current development will continue in the upcoming weeks, resulting in more civilians to reach the liberated areas," he said.

While commending the move of the Government of India to provide 900 metric tons of essential items to the needy in the north, Minister Rambukwella said that Government is pleased about the assistance granted by the Indian Government at a time when Sri Lanka is engaged in an endeavor to eliminate terrorism in the country.

Minister Rambukwella emphasised that it is the due responsibility and wish of the Government to ensure that all the citizens of this country enjoy the benefits of a peaceful environment.