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04th September, 2002

Anuradhapura Airport Road reopens as peace process progresses


 

The residents of 21 villages in the Anuradhapura district were special beneficiaries of the peace process. September 9th, was a red letter day in their calendar. This day marked the reopening of the Anuradhapura Airport Road, a central road leading to the Anuradhapura Airport through the town of Nelumkulama.

Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka's first capital, founded in the 5th century B.C. and is situated 206 km. from Colombo in the North- Central province of Sri Lanka.

The Anuradhapura Airport road was located in a high security zone where the Anuradhapura Airport and the Army and Airforce camps were based.

Therefore this road had been closed for many years for security reasons The closure of the road caused tremendous inconvenience for the people who lived in the Anuradhapura town and 21 villages in the periphery. As the Airport road was closed, movements of these people who live in the arid dry zone where transportation facilities are meager were severely hampered for several years.

With the signing of the ceasefire agreement and cries of war no more, the residents of Anuradhapura appealed to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to authorize the reopening of the Airport Road. Their request was granted. The road was reopened. The people of Anuradhapura are pleased. They are optimistic that the reopening of the road will facilitate their economic and social development. They are optimistic that as the peace process progresses, a brighter future is in store.