Jaffna–Palali highway reopens to civilians after 34 years

By Romesh Madusanka

The Jaffna-Palali main highway which had been closed during military conflicts was opened yesterday after 34 years for use by civilians.
The army had last morning taken steps to open for civilians the stretch of road from Vasavilan Junction to Ponnalai Junction in Point Pedro covering a distance of two and a half kilometres.
Opening the road enables the people to travel through the high-security zone under the Palali Army Camp.
However, the use of the road is subject to seven conditions set out by the army. The road is open to the public from 06 am to 5.00 pm daily. It is prohibited to park any vehicles by the roadside. The public should refrain from taking photos or videos of the surrounding area and from walking in the surroundings. The road should not be used for any other purpose than passenger travel. The speed of vehicles is subject to a maximum of 40 km per hour. The travellers should prove their identity to the security forces when required.
The public who commended the opening of Jaffna- Palali highway requested the government to focus attention on releasing land in the high-security zones as well.