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Sri Lanka, Tamil Rebels Reopen Major North-South Road VOA News 15 Feb 2002 10:35 UTC 
The Sri Lankan government and Tamil rebels have re-opened a major road running through rebel-held territory, the only land route to the northern Jaffna peninsula.
The military and rebels opened new checkpoints (today / Friday) along the main north-south highway (A9) for civilian traffic, amid strong indications that the two sides are moving forward with a Norwegian-brokered peace plan.
Norwegian diplomats are continuing to push the Colombo government and rebels for a permanent truce replacing a temporary cease-fire that is set to expire on February 24.
Re-opening of the road is the latest in a series of confidence-building measures implemented since a new Sri lankan government was elected in December.
The new government has already eased an economic embargo on rebel-held areas and lifted restrictions on the delivery of medical supplies. The moves are aimed at clearing the way for possible peace talks to end Sri Lanka's 18-year civil war, which has already claimed the lives of more than 60,000 people.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.
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