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I was in Colombo in April...at that time the situation was tense, but not as bad as it is now. Since then more than 2000 people have been killed in Sri Lanka. These include soldiers, rebel fighters and sadly civilians. More than 200,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the north and east of the country.
Colombo has witnessed many political assasinations, and attacks by suicide bombers during this period.
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Security this time around reminded me of the time when I had come here in 1999-2000. At that time there was a full blown civil war going on and everybody called it that.
There is a full blown civil war going on right now...but technically both sides are not fighting.
They have a ceasefire agreement on paper, which bothsides say they are following. They know critical foreign aid will stop if they formally declare the ceasefire over.
My car is hailed and checked at least six times till I reach the Hotel. Young Sri Lankan soldiers peer in, politely ask me for my Passport, check the car and then let me go.
"It is all for our security sir. Please bear with us" says Roshan, as he drives me to the Hotel.
2 comments:
I was interested to read about not wanting to call off the ceasefire because foreign aid will stop. In fact when somebody told me that they didn't want the war to end in some ways because of this foreign aid I didn't believe them. I suppose it must be true.
Why would donors give good money...if they fear some or all of it will be diverted to the war effort. Also administering aid is impossible in the worst areas during war. Germany has already said that it will stop all fresh aid if both sides do not agree to meet and find a negotiated settlement.
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