Sri Lanka, The Endless Civil War
Nestling off the southern tip of India, the tropical island of Sri Lanka has beguiled travellers for centuries with its palm-fringed beaches, diverse landscapes and historical monuments.
But for the last 20 years, the country has been torn apart by civil war.
It is a conflict that has pitted the majority Buddhist Sinhalese against Tamils who are largely Hindu.
In the second part of this series, Robin White travels to the country's capital Colombo, to see how people are coping with the violence.
[Listen MP3 Audio, narrated by Robin White of BBC World Service, Featuring JHU, TNA leaders Mano Ganesan MP, Students of St. Thomas College and Journalist Namini Wijedasa] - [audio from BBC World Service radio]
Beginning of the end
A ceasefire was signed in 2002, but it was undermined by regular clashes between government troops and Tamil rebels, and in January 2008 it expired.
The government claims that a military victory is in sight but suicide bombers regularly strike civilian targets in the capital, Colombo, which is now ringed by thousands of security checkpoints.
Everyone is stopped and searched many times everyday.
Many hotels were refurbished during the ceasefire but the only tourists who dare to come now, are local.
Although violence and uncertainty is part of everyday life, cricket, literature and travel are just some of the things that ordinary Sri Lankans enjoy.
Political solution
Robin travels through the country meeting the various political factions to find out what they think about the current climate.
He visits the government department that has been specifically set up to deal with the peace process.
Would a federal system work or should Tamil Tigers be given their own state?
Or, are the Tigers simply a terrorist organisation that can only be defeated through military action.
Join Robin on his journey as he investigates the underlying issues behind Sri Lanka's racial tensions.
1 Comments
It is a very interesting documentry.
one thing I personaly wouldn't agree with that statement you have made ''conflict that has pitted majority sinhala buddhist against tamil who are largely hindus'' I am totally against that and this war did not start because of that conflict.I think due to wrong leaderships in the past and some unfairness happended to tamils about three decades ago.
But now tamils are spread everywhere in sri lanka doing very responsible jobs and recognise them as a sri lankan regardless of their relegion or the language.
One has said that he speaks to president,but he doesn't like his politics... I should remind you Mr president did not start this war.he is simply trying to find a solution to this.I think LTTE leader should take the initiative and stop killing civilians first and give up arms first and come to the table if they want a resonable solution.
I am also not totally agree with JHU.of course as a majority sinhala buddhist should fight for their rights in sri lanka.normally the majority do not have to fight unless there is very good reason to do so.
Think about country as whole regardles of the raise,religion,age,sex etc.This is a democratic country and respect the democracy.I remember when i was kid we used to learn as our national heroes like D S Senanayake,Ponnambalam Ramanathan, Siddi Lebbe etc.That is because they all fighted for the country no matter of their ethnic origin.Respect people and their good quality regardless their religion or the nationality.If you don't do it that is where the conflicts starts.