It was not just another dawn at Elephant Pass on March 2, 2009, but a historic one. The National flag flutters high along with the regimental flags of the Sri Lankan Army which were hoisted opposite the newly established Military Movement Control Centre at neck of the Jaffna Peninsula. Over 300 soldiers and officers get ready to return to their homes, on leave.

The reopening of the A-9 Jaffna-Kandy Highway after 24 years for military transport was truly a historic moment. This will enable all service personnel to reach their homes within 24 hours anywhere in the country. Twenty buses were all set and ready to leave Elephant Pass at the auspicious hour of 9.00 am amidst the chanting pf Pirith by the Maha Sangha.

Jaffna Security Forces Commander, Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe, who was the chief guest at the simple ceremony, said military transportation along the A-9 road will significantly cut down the time of travel, which was earlier by sea and air, which took around four to five days.

Naturally, as a result there would be a massive saving of funds by the security forces. "On one hand, the reopening of the A-9 highway will serve as a link between the people in the North and South."

He said that the A9 road was closed in 1984 due to the security situation. On April 8, 2002 the road was opened soon after the Ceasefire between the UNF Government and the LTTE. But there was no military transport along the road. The road from Omanthai to Muhamallai was controlled by the LTTE and civilians who were using the road had to pay a tax to the LTTE.

"In the meantime, the LTTE set up 29 political offices, 35 safe houses, 14 business establishments and six tax collecting offices within the peninsula. Troops were made to be mere onlookers, thanks to the Ceasefire agreement," Maj. Gen. Samarasinghe said.

He said that the opening up of the road was used by the LTTE to send its cadres to the cleared areas to collect funds, organize protests and on reconnaissance missions. The LTTE had also taken the opportunity to recruit students for military training.

The LTTE was responsible for large scale violations of the CFA and the military was compelled to close the Omanthai and Muhamallai entry/exit points on August 6, 2006.

On August 11, 2006, the road was closed again. The government decided to re-open the A-9 again after security forces captured the entire A-9 stretch, following the defeat of the LTTE.

"Our soldiers went home either by sea or air from the peninsula. Sometimes they had to wait two or three days due to lack of aircraft or ships for transportation. Now they can reach their homes within 24 hours using the A-9 highway," Maj. Gen. Samarasinghe said.

Captain Saranga Perera of the 3rd Machanised Infantry Battalion, before boarding the bus, said that during the last 24 years they had two ways to reach home, which was either by sea from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee or Palaly to Ratmalana by air. It had taken almost five days to reach home. "Now we can be home within 24 hours," he said.

"Only security personnel who have to go home for a special reason, such as a funeral, are rushed by air from Palaly to Ratmalana," he added.

The opening of the A-9 highway does not only benefit the security forces, but also the people of Jaffna. In the early 70s, Jaffna was a major agriculture products supplier to Colombo. Jaffna people used to earn thousands of rupees from their products, especially plantains and onions. Now, the time seems to have arrived to recommence business between the people of the North and South.

The transport of commodities via the A-9 is bound to bring down the cost of living, considerably.

The security forces were still engaged in clearing pressure and landmines in the recently captured areas. Due to that, the road is still not open to the public. But the day is not far, when civilians too will be in a position to make use of the A-9.