Private lorries to ply on A-9 highway

The Kandy-Jaffna A-9 highway will be opened for the first time in several years. Private traders will be permitted to operate their lorries and other convoys to the Northern peninsula from Thursday, a well-informed Government source said.

Up to now only State-owned vehicles were operating services on the A-9 highway transporting food, medicines and other essential items to the North. With this new arrangement, the prices of essential commodities are likely to come down sharply in the North.

There are about 300 private lorries registered with Government authorities to operate services to the North. These lorries will be checked by the security authorities before setting out and a certificate will also be issued. Read more ...