The government which opened the A-9 road has facilitated the transport of agricultural and fisheries produces to Colombo. Under the supervision of Jaffna District Secretary 23 trucks replete with 48,000 kg of red onions, 36.000 kg of prawns and various kinds of vegetables reached Lak Sathosa Economic Centre recently, the Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry said.

Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry Media Secretary N.S.Edirisinghe told The Island that Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda inaugurated the transport of goods to Jaffna through A-9 road on March 9 and several trucks loaded with vegetables, fish and red onions from Jaffna had reached Colombo. The main agricultural products in Jaffna were fruits, tobacco, onions, vegetables and gingili oil.

He said that the army officials in-charge of transportation of food items were unable to send large stocks of goods as the transport process got started suddenly. As the transport of goods would be carried out on daily basis, Jaffna District Secretary and army officials had implemented a widespread programme to collect food items to be transported to Colombo.

He added that army captain Kusal Gunaratne who escorted the transport of vehicles from Colombo to Jaffna and Jaffna to Colombo had been given a warm welcome by people in Jaffna. Sergeant-Majors Manoj Gunathilaka and Warrant Oficer A.Gunaratne had assisted the transport of goods.