The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has officially resumed government-operated bus services along Palaly Road to Kankesanthurai after a suspension of 35 years, marking a major step forward in restoring regional connectivity in the Northern Province.
Public transport access along the route was cut off in 1990 due to the creation of the Palaly High-Security Zone during the civil conflict. The full reopening of Palaly Road on April 10, under specific conditions, cleared the way for this long-anticipated revival of services.
On Tuesday (April 29), the SLTB launched two key bus services:
- From Jaffna to Tellippalai, via Manipay, Alankulai, and Alaveddy
- From Kankesanthurai to Jaffna, running along the newly reopened Palaly Road
These routes aim to improve daily commutes and support the broader development of the northern region, which includes Jaffna International Airport, Sri Lanka’s northernmost railway station, and a planned industrial zone.
The move, guided by Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake and SLTB Chairman Jeewaka Prasanna Purasinghe, is expected to boost economic activity, social integration, and mobility across the region.
Private bus services are also anticipated to begin soon, further enhancing accessibility.
The relaunch was met with widespread local enthusiasm, with many residents viewing it as a symbol of peace, progress, and regional revival after decades of isolation.
