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Sri Lanka and its long war
The Sri Lankan Civil War, waged between separatist Tamil rebels and the government of Sri Lanka - a conflict which has run hot and cold over 26 years, and has cost over 70,000 lives - may now be approaching its end. The ethnic Tamil rebel force called The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (or LTTE, or just "Tamil Tigers") has been fighting for the creation of an independent Tamil state since 1983, using both conventional warfare techniques and terrorist methods. Since 1987, the LTTE has claimed responsibility for nearly 200 suicide attacks, more than any organization in the world. Now, since late 2008, aggressive Sri Lankan government forces have dealt many serious defeats to the LTTE, capturing towns and airfields, and recently trapping the remaining 1,000 (estimated) LTTE rebels in a 37 square km (15 sq m) area, surrounded by 50,000 government troops. Army shelling and retaliation by desperate rebels has led to many recent civilian casualties, and an estimated refugee population of over 200,000. The Sri Lankan government has exercised tight control on media over the years, limiting coverage of the conflict and allegedly inciting its supporters, and several journalists have paid with their lives. (37 photos total)
An injured man in the main hospital of Colombo, Sri Lanka on February 20, 2009 after he was wounded following a rebel Tamil Tiger attack. Tamil Tigers carried out a kamikaze-style attack in Sri Lanka's capital, smashing a light aircraft into the main government Inland Revenue building, killing two people and wounding 50, officials said. Sri Lanka's air force said anti aircraft guns shot down one of the light aircraft that had flown over the tightly-guarded capital while the wreckage of the second was found inside the Inland Revenue building, which caught fire. (Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)
A Sri Lankan army soldier stands guard by a damaged building in Mullaittivu, January 27, 2009. Sri Lanka's government on Friday again pledged safe passage to thousands of people trapped in fighting between the army and Tamil Tiger rebels, but said there would be no ceasefire with the separatist guerrillas. (REUTERS/Stringer) #
In this undated handout photograph made available by rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, center, poses for a group photograph with Tamil rebels in Anuradhapura, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) northeast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (AP Photo/Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, HO) #
Ethnic Tamil civilians get into a bus to go to a camp for internally displaced people after being checked by the military in Vishvamadu, a town recently captured by soldiers battling to crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), February 7, 2009. The rate of people fleeing fighting between Sri Lanka's army and the LTTE has picked up sharply recently, with the separatist rebels now confined to less than 175 square km (67 sq miles). (REUTERS/Stringer) #
Internally displaced Tamils gather at a tube well at a government-run displacement camp in Manik Farm, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. Speaking to journalists during an army-run visit to a camp Monday, many of the escaped Tamil civilians told of huddling in bunkers as the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels pounded each other with heavy artillery in recent months. (AP Photo/Ravi Nessman) #
This undated picture provided by independent observers in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, shows an unidentified young ethnic Tamil at a hospital in Puthukkudiyiruppu, about 275 kilometers (170 miles) north of Colombo, Sri Lanka. After days of shelling sent patients fleeing the Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital, the Red Cross evacuated the staff and wounded Wednesday, effectively closing the last remaining medical facility in the war zone, the aid group said. (AP Photo) #
Tamil people, who escaped from Tamil Tiger-held area following fighting between Sri Lanka army and Tamil Tigers, chat with their relatives over the fence of a temporary refugee camp in Vavuniya, northern Sri Lanka February 23, 2009. Since the beginning of the year, over 35,000 Tamils have fled to government-controlled areas following fighting and been placed in refugee camps. However, these refugees complain that they are not able to leave the camps, a temporary measure the government says will continue until they can weed out the rebels' infiltrators hiding among civilians. (REUTERS/Nir Elias) #
A tank drives its way to the current front line in Puthukudiyiruppu, Sri Lanka, which was captured in recent days by the Sri Lankan army after battles with the LTTE, February 23, 2009. Tamil Tiger rebels told the U.N. and international community on Monday that they are willing to accept a ceasefire with the Sri Lankan government, as Asia's longest-running civil war may be nearing an end. (REUTERS/Nir Elias) #
A soldier guards a bridge near Dharmapuran, Sri Lanka, about 8 km (4.9 Mile) west of the front line February 22, 2009. Dharmapuran was captured about a month ago by the Sri Lankan army. The bridge was blasted by the LTTE as they were pushed away during an army offensive, to prevent transportation of Sri Lankan troops heading east. (REUTERS/Nir Elias) #
Tracer rounds from anti-aircraft guns light up the sky of Colombo, Sri Lanka during an attack by Tamil Tiger rebels on Friday, Feb 20, 2009. Two rebel aircraft launched a surprise raid on the Sri Lankan capital late Friday, an act of defiance by the beleaguered Tamil Tiger rebels in the face of a punishing military offensive in the north. (AP Photo/ Eranga Jayawardena) #
Sri Lankan air force officers lift the wreckage of a second aircraft used by the Tamil Tiger rebels to launch an attack at Colombo after it was gunned down close to Katunayake International airport, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009. The body of the pilot and undetonated explosives were earlier removed from the wreckage. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) #
Tamil S. Sarangan, 11 years old, with his parrot Peti, which he brought with him as he escaped his home at the Tamil Tiger-held area following fighting between Sri Lankan army and Tamil Tigers, seen on February 23, 2009. He now stays in a temporary refugee camp in Vavuniya, northern Sri Lanka. (REUTERS/Nir Elias) #
Performers dance and play music during the Dammaduwa festival celebrations in Anawatuna village, some 160 km (99 miles) south of Colombo, March 8, 2009. The festival is celebrated in Anawatuna once a year in March through the night till morning and is believed to give good fortune and prosperity to the village as well as to keep the evil spirits away. (REUTERS/ Nir Elias) #
A police officer stands guard as Red Cross workers bury the bodies of Tamil rebel fighters in a cemetery in Vavuniya, about 210 kilometers (131 miles) northeast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009. Sri Lankan air force jets bombed Tamil Tiger artillery guns and key rebel positions Tuesday, a day after ground troops captured a rebel base and training camp in their march toward the insurgents' last stronghold in the north, the military said. (AP Photo/Sanath Priyantha) #
This image made from video shows an explosion as it happened among a group of Sri Lankan Muslim men performing during a religious procession in Akuressa, in Matara, south of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, March 10, 2009. A suspected Tamil Tiger suicide bomber killed 14 people and wounded 35, including Sri Lanka's telecommunications minister, during the Muslim festival, officials said. (AP Photo/APTN) #
This photo, taken on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 and provided Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 by independent observers in Sri Lanka shows the body of an unidentified Sri Lankan ethnic Tamil woman, allegedly killed during shelling, in the debris of a temporary shelter in Udakattu village in the rebel-controlled town of Puthukkudiyiruppu, 275 kilometers (170 miles) north of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (AP Photo) #
Ahimsha Wickrematunge, daughter of slain newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, and his sister Rukmani mourn over his body at his residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, January 11, 2009. Wickrematunga was slain by unidentified gunmen, and had been shot at and assaulted several times earlier. The assailants remain unidentified, but suspicion is widespread that Sri Lankan government forces or supporters were responsible. Wickrematunga, anticipating his possible murder, wrote a defiant editorial for posthumous publication only days earlier. (REUTERS/Buddhika Weerasinghe) #
Sri Lankan protesters break coconuts, cursing the killers, during the funeral procession of the Sunday Leader newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. The funeral procession for a slain Sri Lankan journalist turned into a large anti-government protest Monday, with thousands of marchers demanding justice and some blaming the government for the killing. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) #
People carry coffins of their relatives for burial during a mass burial ceremony for victims of a landmine explosion by suspected Tiger rebels that killed at least 64 people, in Kabithigollewa village, about 210 kilometers (131 miles) north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, June 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) #
A Sri Lankan soldier is seen aboard a military helicopter as they fly towards the newly recaptured Tamil rebel held town of Mullaittivu, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) northeast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009. A government health official said Wednesday Jan. 28, 2009, that witnesses reported 250 to 300 civilians were killed in fighting over the past week in northern Sri Lanka and said hospital records showed that more than 1,100 were wounded. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) #
A Sri Lankan police officer stands guard in a transit camp for internally displaced ethnic minority Tamils in northern district of Vauniya, about 260 km (160 miles) north of Colombo, January 14, 2009. P.M.S. Charles, Government Agent of Vavuniya said the more than 1,450 ethnic Tamils that were recently displaced from the northern battlefields of Kilinochchi, north Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu are living in two transit camps recently set up in Nelukkulam and Menik farm areas in Vavuniya. (REUTERS/Stringer) #
More links and information
And Then They Came For Me - posthumous editorial by slain newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunga
Q&A: Sri Lanka crisis - BBC News
Sri Lankan War Nears End, but Peace Remains Distant - NYTimes.com, 02/17/09
Sri Lanka Rejects Call for Truce, Saying Defeat of Rebels Is Near - NYTimes.com 02/05/09
Q&A: Is Sri Lanka's war at its end? - Reuters 03/11/09
Sri Lanka - Wikipedia entry
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
The Soldier in No. 2 has watched Rambo one too many times I think !
Amazing..
Wow :O
#37 just bring a sad smile to me.
Amazing photos indeed.
Arthur C. Clark is somewhere shedding tears for his beloved Sri Lanka tonight ...
Incredible pics that reflect the horror of war, whether forgotten or not by the rest of the world. Hope some day something colourful & peaceful can be shown of this beautiful island nation with so much wonderful to offer too!
Peace is never won by a war...The 26 long years has been a standing testimony for that. War has never seen a solution to any conflict across the world. It only makes the existence painful. Humans with the great sixth sense can never co-exist, whereas animals across the globe live happily in a habitat without much trouble.
As always incredible pics..Wish these make the govts to listen and stop the genocide across innocent civilians.
This is what happens when guns become common place.
17 and 25 - beautifull portraits...
and how sad this long war!
When I look at these pics I feel homesick.
I love the variety here. I love the little boy with the parrot. Yes, in the midst of violence there is still the eternal desire for peace. may this peace come to Sri lanka soon.
#3: I was rather surprised to see a photo of Prabhakaran taken in Anuradhapura, as that isn't Tamil territory.
With a little searching I found a page showing the photo three times (http://www.daylife.com/topic/Velupillai_Prabhakaran/photos/all/1). One is an undated handout taken at Anuradhapura (like #3), another one is an undated handout taken at an undisclosed location, with rebels who were involved in an attack on an air force base, and the third is a hand out released 22 october 2007, showing Prabhakaran with soldiers said to be 'Black Tiger' suicide cadres who attact the air force base in Anuradhapura on that date.
I think the last description is most likely to be correct.
#28 : Powerfull
Make sure to click on the link in #30, that's one of the best editorials I've read in my life. It's the sort of stuff kids should read in high school. Especially the poem he quotes in the last paragraphs..
Dear Professor (comment #4):
That's why there's a box with links providing further information on the conflict.
its all nice but why not showing people killed by srilankan army
have a look in WWW.LANKASRI.COM OR WWW.TAMILNET.COM
Check out the commander guy's shoes in #3
Nuyan and others are correct: the editorial is absolutely worth a few minutes of your time to read. This man Wickrematunga embodied courage itself.
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090111/editorial-.htm
#3 - Nothing says I'm a fearsome rebel like a nice backdrop of puffy white clouds and floral drapes.
# 13 This reminds me 9/11 - There's No Such Thing as a 'Good' Terrorist
Quite powerful!
wow! these pictures are AMAZING!!
I must say that Sri Lankan soldiers are NOT Rambos in movies. They are real heroes. Please don't even think to compare them with bogus actors in movies. You had better come to SL and see the real situation in battle field. You cannot compare these war hreos (SL soldiers) with any other army in the world.
All of these photos show the real situation in Sri Lanka. With the help of the triple gem, this war will end soon. LTTE has only a land with 20*20 km. Government of Sri Lanka will have to start thier development work in North ASAP
All the people around the world should realize LTTE terrorists' fake. The are cheating the whole world.
The truth is that LTTE do not allow innocent civilians come out of the danger area. They are kept as a shield. They shoot whoever wants to go to the safe area.
Also I must mention that Sri Lankan army is the most disciplined army in the world. They just have another 6*6 km area to capture. But they not in a hurry to capture it because they make sure the zero harm to civilians. otherwise, LTTE could have been defeated few months ago.. you should come to Sri Lanka to see this real story.
ptr_dnld@yahoo.com
@Gary
Fifty thousand soldiers against thousand rebels and still they cannot win the war. You call them heroes for the war crimes they have commited. I pity you.
LTTE is not a better organisation either but it is a fitting reply for the discrimination of the Tamil minority by the singhalese majority. I hope atleast now you people would have learned to coexist and peacefully live with the Tamils after the facist LTTE's defeat. If not then only GOD can help you people.
Its a dirty war between State sponsored terrorist army and a rogue facist rebel band but the one who has suffered the most is the innocent civilians. Let serenity prevail.
My words are not enough to praise these pictures....really stunning job from such a bloody place..thx for this
Great sir lank army protect all nations !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Madanraj
If the soldiers don't want to avoide civilian cazualties they could have captuered the remaining 50 square kilometers in two days. But they are not terrorists like LTTE who keep their own people( Whom they called them selfs as tamil peoples saviours) as a human shield so they can delay their defeat!
And do please know that we Sinhaleese have no problem with our own tamil brothers. We lived in harmony for centuries and we'll continue to do so. Just do come and visit and see how Sinhala, tamil and muslim people live in same neighbourhoods with no problem.
This whole war is a small wound turned nasty because of wrong actions by the governments. We civilians are taking the effect of it for 20 years now and it is time to stop! We are affected by what is happaning at north because of the war and our heart is with our tamil brothers. We hope this war will end soon and this endless suffering will come to an end so we sri lankans can live a life peacefully again.
@ John Guttenburg Stransen (#16)
Why must EVERYTHING be a USA issue with some of you. Get over it!
Long live Our heroes of SL Forces.............
I've visited Sri Lanka twice in the last 4 years, and it's very sad to know, that on such a beautiful island, inhabited by such extraordinary people, this war has done such a huge amount of damage. It's witnessed devastation from nature (Tsunami), and from man (war), and neither of these are deserving of such an enchanting place.
re: 46 - it is a bloody place, but it's not all bad ... /tinyurl.com/be3uwo
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/13/wickrematunga-final-editorial-final-editorial
The article by Lasantha Wikramatunga, editor of Sunday Leader who was shot dead by government forces.
Amazing pictures. We have so much to be thankful for living in peaceful lands.
So sad.
The article by the editor just shows that humanity still exists... we humans are smart enough to have the intelligence to make languages,religions and what not... but we dont have the common sense to that none of these man made things could be so important to kill someone..... why cant we just remember to forget this and let everyone live....
Poignant!! Wonderful photographs!!
#6 and #21 says it all. In the end its the civilians caught in the middle of the conflict that pay the ultimate price, getting maimed or killed. It is a true tragedy of epic propotions on the gentle people of a very beautiful island. I should know, I used to live there till I couldnt take it anymore and now live elsewhere.
The people have been skillfully played by the politics of divide and rule for the political benefit of the ruling elite and are going along for the ride. Yeah what a wonderful ride!!
I have to agree that this fighting benefits no one, it just ends up in alot of dead people. Whats the point of this terrorism? Whats the point of killing the people your trying to represent? These terrorists are just thugs and disillusioned youth with no other options, as is the case the world over.
Correction
#3 is actually a photograph handed out depicting the black tigers involved in the attack at Anuradhapura air base taken at rebel held areas which are far fom Anuradhapura.
Not taken at Anuradhapura
Thank you for presenting these photos. They avoid being too political but show the harsh reality of this conflict. There terrible methods of the LTTE (depicted in 21 which many have commented on), as well as the sad, sad consequences of war for the civilians, shown in photos of the civilians who have escaped the LTTE. It also shows how brutal war is - the picture with the tank destroying what is in front of it. Does the end justify the means? This conflict is so difficult to pass judgment on - however the pictures bring to light the common humanity we have - it doesn't matter if you are tamil, sinhalese, muslim or other - we are are all human beigns - if we concentrate on this then it will will bring real peace - my prayer
Prince of Peace, Jesus, we plead for PEACE to Sri Lanka
Amazing pictures. All the people being herded into concentration camps and seperated from family members, results of the bombings of hospitals, soldiers posing like Rambo. Tells us a story of Genocide. Its Ruwanda all over again.
#37 is my favorite. Despite everything going on around him, all the death and destruction, something as simple as a small wave can still bring a smile to that the boy's face. Such innocence, it's incredible.
Please don't attempt to judge who's wrong and right solely based on this article or any other report in the media. War and conflicts are very complex issues, and there's never a clear picture of what truly is going on. However, it is better to be rid of war, than to just allow it stagnate and ruin the lives of the future generations to come. The LTTE knew what they were getting themselves into along with the 200,000+ civilians in the rebel controlled areas. Its leaders would have envisioned a day when the Sri Lankan Army would break the LTTE's defenses and conquer their territory. This is an inevitable situation and it's truly unfortunate that the two generations of Sri Lankans had to pay the price and also lost so many opportunities due to this war. Any-person who thinks that taking up arms in order to fight for his or her rights should understand that violence breeds more violence and the only solution to ethnic conflict is proper education and time...
my wish is every one should live with the peace not with the war & fear......
let us pray for peace......in srilanka
To the guy in the center of pic #29: GET YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER!!
I hope he got a severe tongue-lashing from his CO for that one! ;-)
STOP THE WAR - START TO LIVE ! PLEASE
pls help stop this war
WE HAVE NO WAR IDIOT , we have only terrorist, we will destroy them soon :)
Very good jog.
STOP THE WAR PLEASE
In general pictures apear to be unbiased. However the statement shown below Lasantha Wickramathunga's funeral picture accusing Government is biased because there are two other accusations. They are (1) Killig has been done by LTTE to put the government forces to incovenience (2) Killing has been undertaken by UNP underground gangs for political gains.
Finding LTTE terrorist Good or Bad is Gods Duty
But arranging appoinment with God is our Duty
-SL Army-
See the people affected and the expectation in their eyes
See the people in Government troop and the expectation in their eyes
Both are similar why war???????????????/
You can't make appointment with God but God will give an appointment to you. Whether you like to meet or not or timing will not make any sense. You should go
Love the church photo, 1698 it was built and to think its surivied all this time only to be destroyed by mindless violence!
The real enemy of the war is war itself.
Note the picture of the little tamil child in the Wellawatte Beach, that is in Colombo where all ethnic minorities live peacefully!!!! It is the Tamil Tiger movement who started this war. There are so many highly educated Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burger people all over the world. They were all educated in the same Sri Lankan Universities to begin with. Most of the Tamils who left the country for one reason or other have bought their holiday homes in and around Colombo and go there for their breaks. So Where IS this GENOCIDE going on
We all should try to help or at least pray for all the people specially children in sri lanka i just cant belive that is going on out there i just cant stop thinking of the children they all need peace poor people and sometimes we think our lifes are sad and misreable ..............dam
Fantastic photos! great 17,25 & 28
Re comment 75, close your physical eyes and open your mind's eye, i.e. think deeper!, your will realise more truths. "ethnic minorities live peacefully"??? No they are "living" not peacefully. It's a figment of your imagination because you want to believe so. All those who were born in SL will be educated in SL, obviously, where else should they be educated? Buying holiday homes in SL, Yes, because they love the country of their birth. Genocide? -please don't be so shallow. Get to know more about the issues faced by Tamils since Independence and the solutions offered by successive Govts since 1958.
The army (55 to 58 regiments) are Elite Squads these days trained by the SAS, tactics are driven by Israel intel. No turning back...mate.Civilian casualties are minimal comapred to Gaza & Iraq. The refugee living conditions are way better than the GAZa refugee camps.
Tamil Tigers did not start the war, Nandika, they fight for the freedom and justice of the hundreds of thousands terrified Tamil people trapped in Northern Sri Lanka. They are just waiting for the ruthless SLA to slaughter them mercilessly. The LTTE do not even get paid and some Rebels give their own lives to fight for freedom and they fight so hard. Now, I know what you're going to say. "YOU'RE A TERRIOST!!" Yeah, yeah, that's all the Sri Lankan government can say. You're a terrorist, I'm a terriost we're all god damned terrorists aren't we? And Ousman, the living conditions in Northern Sri Lanka are FAR FAR FAR worse than the ones in GAZA and in Somalia. They have nothing. No water, no food, no shelter, no medicine. All extremists that are against the Tamil people should recognize this and denying this or supporting the SLA are misinformed and simply...stupid. You cannot deny the evidence that photographs and peace/aid workers have given. I am a Canadian Tamil trying to attract attention to the genocide in Sri Lanka. All Sri Lankans should be ashamed of saying that they are Sri Lankan. But I, I am proud to say I am TAMIL. I am proud to say that I support the LTTE, the Freedom Fighters.
The issue is happening for decades. The present conflict has been going on from 1983 after few of the Eelam leaders were killed in jail. But before this it had happened in 1953 when many of the Tamilians moved to India. For long these people have been asking for equal rights. Let us not picture LTTE every time we talk about suffering Tamil people. LTTE came into picture only during this current conflict, but for a long time Srilankan Tamilians have been asking for equal rights peacefully. Let us not forget Tamilians have been there in Srilanka for centuries and were ruled by Tamilian Kings long time back. Even without talking about the history, when you look at the present century as human beings they need equal rights and have the same right as Sinhalese. People always look for quick solution and feel satisfied when they decide one set of people are the bad guys and deserve it.
A picture speaks a thousand words!!!!
POW,
More than 50% of the tamils in Sri Lanka live outside north & east, among sinhalese, muslims and others living normal lives. For an example majority (I would say more than 90%) of people in Wellawatta, which is in heart of Colombo (pic 37) are tamils. Also there are lot of tamils (both from north & east as well as from other parts of the country) studying in universities in west/southern parts of the country, just like everybody else. Most of the tamils who went to western countries seeking asylum telling that Sri Lanka is not safe for them, ironically visit Sri Lanka for holidays.
"they fight for the freedom and justice of the hundreds of thousands terrified Tamil people trapped in Northern Sri Lanka. They are just waiting for the ruthless SLA to slaughter them mercilessly."
I just can't understand the logic of your statement telling SLA is slaughtering tamil people. If that's the situation how come tamils gets to survive, live, work, educate them selves even in majority sinhalese areas.
Looks like you are sympathising for LTTE terrorists, who chose to take arms against SLA and killed many tamils, sinhalese & muslims. Or is it the asylum application.
visit www.defence.lk for further information
Soon peace's sparkle must be returned to what can only be described as one of life's geographical jewels....... photo journalism at its best......
Nice pictures.
As for those who are saying there is a genocide in Sri Lanka, wake up people, its war against a terrorist organization (as UN defines it even).
If you really want to know the true situation you have to be there, like I have been for over 20 years in SL. And let me tell you something there is no conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils or Muslims. I learn at the same university where Tamils from Jaffna and Muslims from Trincomalee are learning with me.
Don't be fooled by LTTE supporters saying the SL government is trying to genocide SL Tamils.
No one said war is pretty, thats exactly why the government asked the LTTE to lay down their arms and come to a peaceful solution (like Karuna, who was a pro LTTE carder but left it and joined the government for the sake of people in east), but unfortunately the LTTE has denied this request every time it was made.
Peace will come to SL soon and we all have to be very patient.
28-30 are incredibly powerful, very strong images....I couldn't look away.
I don't understand how 1000-2000 LTTE cadres can hold up 200,000 civilians captive in such a small place. So if these people are staying willingly in LTTE zone, does that mean all 200,000 civilians are terrorists?The Sri Lankan government must understand that LTTE has large support of tamils in the north and they should accept LTTE ceasefire offer. I dont see any permanent solution for this war other than CEASEFIRE FOREVER. It looks like countries like China. India, Pakistan, U.S. are making good money out of selling weapons to SL government and may be thats the reason the whole conflict is ignored by the world.
LTTE is an terrorist organization. LTTE must be destroyed with all those supporting them.
crazyy. :) jessica spivey is my homiee. :)
the govt of srilanka should enhance the rly transportation system and electrify the entire rly system and doubling, gauge convesion and modernise and give ample opportunities and more no of tech developments with foreign colloboration and gve employment oopportunity for all and shuffle them from the top to bottom of the land govt hopital govt school govt organisation and govt machineries , and govt institutions and govt reps at every area in some way or oher and govt philonthropic organisation and like these many govt establishments so as to have some confidence among the people that it is not biassed and project that it is cosmopolitan democractic country .
Americans proudly make movies for their war hero's who fought in 2nd world
war.....What about Srilankan troops.They fight for their land for their own
motherland.People get suffered in war,it is same for the Americans,people don't
wanna talk because America is powerful.please let them solve their problem...I
think that war is the only language LTTE understand bacause srilankans tried
many tactics to solve this for 30 years..................There is no Divided
island......tamils and sinhalies are living happily.Its not the tamils.....It is
LTTE.Finaly i wanna say LTTE is a terrorist organization...IT IS NOT TAMIL
REBELS. There are tamil rebels but its not LTTE...Even LTTE kill their own
people.......so why don't you post some pics of those.......thank you.
this was really crazy but interesting.....wo0ow good s^&%!!!
i'm proud to be a Srilankan...v r going to win this war by protecting this innocent people..thank you...
We all 80 million people people around world support for our Freedom fighter in EELAM.. It will surely become a separate nation free from atrocities of sinhalese..
What are we talking about..why not the srilanka army and the government juz allow this people to be on thier own..i mean give them the independence..when someone doesn't want to belong to u,better allow him to be free
#30 is such an irony. His first name "Ahimsa" means non-violence.
What irony? Ahimsa is a 'she.' She is Lasantha's daughter.
And FYI non-violence means 'ahiNsa' not 'ahiMsa'!
why this everything happening like this. we all are srilankans. i am proud to be a sri lankan. but any way look at these people in north they are humens too. fighting with ltte its ok. pls dont kill the civilians. its realy sad to see this kind of photos.
YOU KNOW? WHEY THEY ARE INJURED? WHO MADE THIS PAIN? NOT LTTES, ONLY SRILANKAN ARMY. THEY ARE ACTING VERY WELL, THIS IS SELECTED PHOTOS, WE ARE ON THE EDGE OF SARROW, YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND OUR PAINS, SOME TIME TOMORROW OR DAY AFTER TOMORROW I AM ALSO JOIN WITH LTTE, RESON? I WANT TO SAVE MY PEOPLES. SINGKALA GOVERNMENT CAN'T SAVE MY PEOPLES THEY PLANE TO KILL THEM.
Really, you have given the clear picture of the civilians who have been caught in this crucial war. You have done a wonderful job. We thank you very much.
Pl visit our site http://www.crcsrilanka.org
no one said that every . each end is starting
This gives a very clear picure about what's happening in Sri lanka. You have done a superb job.Well done!
Tamils believe now only international community.They don"t believe SL Government.Pl help to tamils
Srilankan Government been killing tamil people many years.Pl stop the war and help to tamils.
When prabhakaran and his battalion marched horizontally to to the tamil eelam all the problems are solved in srilanka and people of all ethnic groups can live peacefully
tamil chelvam
Why the world community couldn"t find thease photos of evidence of the cruel war against tamils. Please stop the war and help to tamils.
the pictures tell a horrendous story of the war in Srilanka. civilians have become the fodder of both sides in this war . modern warfare is all about killin g of civilians whether its kosovo, iraq, afganistan . modern civilisation woud put to shame the likes of Ghenghis Khan , Hannibal, nadir shah and all.
peace..................................
Please help.we need freedom
Well done... worth full picture for the world
Please give our rights........
PROUD TO BE A SRI LANKAN.
UN please call for war crimes inquiry.No112 wait and see.God help to tamils.
I am seeing most of the comments enchanting Srilankan army as heros - I kindly request those peple to know the truth they are not the heros, they are demons of the modern era killing innocents by using banned genocides (it is the poisonous gas weapon used to kill people in mass at a time during world wars) there are instances and proofs that they removing transferable human organs from the killed innocents and preserving it. Though we cant help the innocents atleast dont enchant the demons. It hurts the others who worries about the killing of thier beloved people please with tears..
Now the Tamil Genocider Prabhakaran Lives in hell with yama king , yama
king tightens security in his kingdom because prabhakaran wants set Eelaam
in the independent country of hell.
prabhakaran searching for his cader, to kill who closed the Mavilaru Anicuit, now who lives in hell.
improve the protction of people
That Was Gr8
i don want be SRI LANKAN. i want be tamilelam and SRI lannkan amy big pussy in world
they support 20 country
tamil tigers never lose the will come bak soon
seven they when in war time they help SRI LANKAN
Deaar Editor,
Please make the correction at bottom of the last photo as A Tamil boy, Dino Krishan holds the hand of a man named Thirugnanam as they play in the surf in Wellawatta, Sri Lanka on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) #
That boy's name is not Vino. His name is Dino Krishan. That boy is my friend Thirungnanam Johnson Harintus's son.
poor u guys! :(
god is seeing all.