Iconic Yal Devi train arrives in Jaffna after 24 years

Tuesday, 14 October 2014 01:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Marking another milestone in Sri Lanka Railway history and boosting post-war reconciliation, the iconic north-bound Yal Devi train reached Jaffna yesterday, after it stopped running between north and south 24 years ago. President Mahinda Rajapaksa flagged off the train at the auspicious time of 9:30 a.m. from Palai station and rode the train to Jaffna as a special passenger. The President declared open the newly-constructed train stations in between Palai and Jaffna at Chavakachcheri, Nawakkuli and Kodikamam and the Jaffna Railway Station at the end of the journey.

The massive crowd gathered welcomed the President according to traditional Hindu rituals. Following the warm welcome, the President declared open the newly-constructed Jaffna Station. Ministers Kumara Welgama, Douglas Devananda and Bandula Gunawardena, Indian High Commissioner Y. K. Sinha and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa accompanied the President on the train ride. The northern railway line from Vavuniya to Kankesanthurai in the northernmost tip of the island was completely destroyed by the LTTE during its reign. The rebels uprooted the rail tracks to build reinforced underground bunkers. The rail line was reconstructed in stages by India Railway Construction International Ltd. (IRCON) with financial and technical assistance from India. Tiger terrorists bombed the Yal Devi train at Kokavil on 19 January 1985, killing 34 people and destroying the train tracks. The attack effectively ended the north-south rail transport. After the war ended in May 2009, the Yal Devi recommenced operations to Thandikulam on 6 June 2009 and then extended its run to Omanthai on 29 May 2011. It commenced services to Kilinochchi in September 2013 and extended the service to Pallai in March this year.

MR wants politics out of development President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that politics should be kept out of development and that officials must ensure the needs of the people are met. The President said this during the special development progress review meeting held in Jaffna. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran boycotted the meeting while the EPDP members of the Northern Provincial Council attended the meeting. Speaking at the meeting held at the Jaffna Weerasingham Hall, the President claimed that funds had been allocated for development and other related work in the north but the money was not being properly utilised. He urged the Northern Provincial Council to put aside party politics and work in the best interest of the people in the north. The President said that before the Northern Provincial Council was established a lot of development work was done in the north but now it has slowed down. He also expressed regret that Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran boycotted the meeting in Jaffna held today. (Colombo Gazette)