A key section of Palaly Road, linking Vasavilan Junction to the Ponnalai-Paruthithurai Road, has been reopened for civilian use after more than three decades of closure. This long-awaited development comes just a day ahead of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya’s visit to Jaffna, underscoring its political and symbolic weight.
The 2.5-kilometer stretch, running through what was once a high-security military zone, had remained off-limits to the public since 1990 at the height of Sri Lanka’s civil conflict. For years, residents of Jaffna travelling to northern areas such as Palaly were forced to take lengthy detours through Kankesanthurai, creating daily hardship and cutting off direct access within the peninsula. Despite repeated calls from the public after the war ended in 2009, the road remained closed—until now.
The road was officially reopened on April 10 under stringent regulations. Public access is allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day. Entry is currently restricted to pedestrians and public buses; private and commercial vehicles remain prohibited. All travelers must carry valid identification, and movement is capped at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour. Authorities have also banned stopping, turning, as well as taking photos or videos along the route. Clear signboards in Tamil warn that violations may lead to legal action.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya is set to arrive in Jaffna today (April 11) for a series of public engagements, including discussions with local communities, civil society groups, and regional development officials. The timing of the road’s reopening is widely seen as a strategic move by the Government to demonstrate its commitment to rebuilding trust, restoring civil liberties, and addressing long-standing grievances in the North.
Government sources indicate that the Prime Minister’s visit aims to deepen engagement with Tamil communities and boost reconciliation efforts. The reopening of Palaly Road is not just a logistical improvement—it carries deep symbolic meaning. It represents a tentative but important step toward healing, reconnecting communities, and signaling national recognition of the North’s recovery needs.
Local leaders and residents have welcomed the move, while urging authorities to eventually allow full, unrestricted access to all vehicles. Human rights advocates echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that while the current restrictions are tight, the decision marks a critical first move in restoring freedom of movement in historically restricted areas.
Beyond improved connectivity, the reopening of this road serves as a powerful indicator of potential political change and a renewed focus on post-conflict reconciliation in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.
