Agron Dragaj Photography

Sri Lanka

PORTRAITS OF DISPLACEMENT

Twenty years of civil war devastated villages and towns of the North and East Sri Lanka left some 65,000 people dead and more than 800,000 internally displaced, while 160,000 ethnic Tamils sought refuge in other countries.

Cease Fire Agreement signed in February 2002 and subsequent rounds of peace talks facilitated by the Norwegian peace brokers between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elaam (the LTTE) brought back hope to the people of Sri Lanka that fear, displacement and sorrow will be replaced with peace and prosperity while to some one million displaced hope to return home.

This hope in the North and East of the country was shattered in April 2006, when the fighting began once again. Hundreds of thousands people were forced again in displacement.

United Nations and NGO's have assisted communities to rebuild their lives throughout the country during absence of war. While the conflict continues, efforts are made to mitigate suffering brought about by displacement.

Sri Lanka is also one of the Asian countries, which was devastated by the Tsunami on 26 December 2004, killed 38,000 and left some 150,000 people homeless.

Renewed conflict in north and east also had negative impact on progress of the Tsunami recovery projects in north and east created even bigger challenge for humanitarian aid agencies to assist those in need.

Following a renewal of fighting, a large-scale government offensive succeeded in breaking the long stalemate, and in January 2009 troops captured the northern town of Kilinochchi, held for ten years by the Tamil Tiger Rebels as their administrative headquarters.

Thereafter, the army steadily pushed the Tamil Tigers into an ever-shrinking area of the northeast, before finally overrunning the last rebel-held position in May 2009 and prompting the government to declare the Tamil Tigers defeated. UN alledged both sides in the conflict have committed war crimes.

Killing of the Tamil Tigers leader Velupillai Prabakharan, marked end of the war while more than 250,000 Tamil civilians are brought into camps in Vavuniya where they remian in displacement and are not allowed to return home. Sri Lankan government up to date has not allowed any independent mission nor journalists to enter Mulaitheevu area where it is believed that more than 25,000 civilians went missing during the last offensive.

child sleeps under the mosquito net in the classroom turned into a camp for the displaced people in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
   
Burned house of the ethnic Tamil family. Following the market bomb on 12th April 2006 which claimed lifes of several people, violence erupted in the streets of Trincomalee mobs of angry Sinhalese started to burn houses, shops and properties of Tamil community in Trincomalee town. Thousands of Tamil families had to flee and seek safety in other parts of the district. While Tamil villages were attacked by armed Sinhalese gangs police and military did not do anything to protect Tamil civilians.
   
Kilinochchi, the Wanni Sri Lankashreaded with bullets, the shrine of the virgin Mary stands at the crossing point between government controlled are and the area controlled by the Tamil Tiger rebels, Muhamalai.
     
  
Muttur, Sri LankaIt is estimated that some 700,000 anti personel mines were planted by government forces and the LTTE in Sri Lanka.The use of antipersonnel mines has resulted in large areas of fertile agricultural land, urban areas, roads, water resources, and livestock in the northern and eastern parts of the country being seriously affected, particularly in Jaffna and the Vanni. Unfortunately, mines have been laid in some of the most heavily populated and most fertile areas.The LTTE has estimated that there are now two million antipersonnel landmines in the areas under LTTE control.In April 2001, the UN reported that antipersonnel mines were threatening the resettlement of displaced persons in LTTE-held areas. The problem is only rising in scale with the cease-fire in place. The anticipation of imminent movement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is creating serious concern regarding the need for mine clearance, minefield marking and mine risk education. Indeed, it has already been reported that thousands of displaced people are spontaneously returning home before mine clearance has occurred.
  
Vaddamarachchi east, JaffnaLiving amid minefieldsIt is estimated that some 700,000 anti personel mines were planted by government forces and the LTTE in Sri Lanka.The use of antipersonnel mines has resulted in large areas of fertile agricultural land, urban areas, roads, water resources, and livestock in the northern and eastern parts of the country being seriously affected, particularly in Jaffna and the Vanni. Unfortunately, mines have been laid in some of the most heavily populated and most fertile areas.The LTTE has estimated that there are now two million antipersonnel landmines in the areas under LTTE control.In April 2001, the UN reported that antipersonnel mines were threatening the resettlement of displaced persons in LTTE-held areas. The problem is only rising in scale with the cease-fire in place. The anticipation of imminent movement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is creating serious concern regarding the need for mine clearance, minefield marking and mine risk education. Indeed, it has already been reported that thousands of displaced people are spontaneously returning home before mine clearance has occurred.
  
Men sit on the door frame of the destroyed house by Tsunami in Valvetithurai, Jaffna
     
  
Valvettithurai, Jaffna- Sri LankaPicking up the pieces, tsunami after math.
   
Tsunami destruction in Valvetithurai, Jaffna
   
Mulaitheevu church destroyed by the Tsunami
     
  
Burned house of the ethnic Tamil family. Following the market bomb on 12th April 2006 which claimed lifes of several people, violence erupted in the streets of Trincomalee mobs of angry Sinhalese started to burn houses, shops and properties of Tamil community in Trincomalee town. Thousands of Tamil families had to flee and seek safety in other parts of the district. After the market bomb armed Sinhalese gangs started to indiscriminatry retaliate against Tamils in Trincomalee town pushing thousands of people to flee their homes to seek refuge in predominantly Tamil areas of the town. While Tamil villages were attacked by armed Sinhalese gangs police and military did not do anything to protect Tamil civilians.
   
pieces of the destroyed home.
   
Jaffna
     
  
Eachchilampattai, Sri LankaDisplaced family from Sampur arriving in Kallady IDP camp
   
Ilankathurai Muguthuwaram, Eachchilampattai Trincomalee- Sri Lanka.A child sleeps in a cancun in the makeshift tent in IDP camp.
   
Kanthale, TrincomaleeLittle girl takes care of her baby sister inside the tent at the Al-Shaiffa camp for internally displaced persons set in Kanthale, Trincomalee. Fierce battle over Muthur town in eastern Sri Lanka between Tamil tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan forces pushed some 45,000 people into displacement.
     
  
Thanganagar, Sri LankaEthnic Tamil family from Sampur in the Thanganagar school turned into a camp for internally displaced persons.
   
  
UN Refugee Agency official interviews newly arrived IDPs in Ilankathurai Muguthuvaram camp on 08 June 2006 in Eachchilampathai, Eastern Sri Lanka.
     
  
Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, UNHCR’s good will ambassador talks to the doctor while on the side of bed of the injured girl at the pediatrics ward in hospital of Valvetithurai hospital in Northern Sri Lankan district of Jaffna. Valvetithurai hospital is catering more than 20,000 people of the District with only one doctor and no maternity ward. Donation made by Angelina Jolie during her visit enabled hospital to rebuilt pediatrics ward and labor room.
   
  
A young girl and her father get registered upon arrival in camp for internally displaced people in Ilankathurai Muguthuvaram, Trincomalee on 08 June 2006. Sri Lankan security forces launched retaliatory attack on Tamil Tigers in Sampor area, forcing some 11,000 people into displacement.
     
  
Jaffna, Sri Lanka
   
Jaffna, Sri LankaEthnic Tamil children are seen in one of many Jaffna orphanages.
   
Eachchilampatti, Trincomalee
     
  
Thanganagar, Sri LankaChildren in IDP camp
   
Trincomalee, Sri LankaA young ethninc Tamil sits by his bike in camp for internally displaced persons in Trincomalee.
  
Maruthankerny, Jaffna Sri LankaA young school boy walks past mine field on his way to school in Maruthankerny, Jaffna
     
  
A internally displaced person from Sampur, Ravindram Selvarathnam gesticulates while describing the air raid conducted by Sri Lankan air force in Sampur area on 08 June 2006. Thousands of families sought refuge in schools, temples and host families in Ilankathrai Mguthuwaram area fleeing the fightings between the Tamil Tiger rebels and Sri Lankan Forces. Sri Lankan Forces launched an offensive in retaliation to closure of the sluice gates in Mavil Aru some 60 km south of Trincomalee town. Closure of sluice gates caused shortage of water for irrigation and endangered entire rice harvest in Trincomalee district.
  
An IDP looks on as the Sri Lankan Army personel carrier heads towards Muttur where fierce fighting escalated between Tamil Tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan Army. Some 45,000 people left Muttur town in seek of safer area in Kanthale, Trincomalee in August 2006.
   
Tamil Tiger rebels at the Verugal camp for internally displaced persons in Eachchilampattai district controlled by rebels.
     
  
A member of the paramilitary force of the Sri Lankan army wearing a mask at the Kanthale railways station camp for internally displaced persons. Heavy fighting between Tamil Tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan forces for the city of Muthur prompted some 45,000 people to be displaced in Kanthale, Trincomalee.
   
Sri Lankan paramilitary carries ammunition case toward their outpost in outscirts of Somapura.
   
Injured girl from Muttur in Trincomalee hospital.
     
  
Muthunagar, Sri Lankacoomunal cooking for IDP children.
   
Ilankathurai Muguthuwaram camp for internally displaced people (IDP) in Tricnomalee.
   
     
  
Kapalthurai, Trincomalee
   
Kanthale, Sri LankaInternally displaced family in Agrabodhi Temple which sheltered some 5,000 ethnic Sinhalese who fled their villages when the LTTE launched attack on Kallar military camp and surrounding villages.
   
Trincomalee, Sri Lankainternally displaced family in railway station camp in Kanthale is seen selling mago.Fierce battle over Muthur town in eastern Sri Lanka between Tamil tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan forces pushed some 45,000 Muslim people into displacement.
     
  
   
Kanthale, Sri LankaAn Ethnic Sinhalese women weaps in front of the tent in Agrabodhi Temple which sheltered some 5,000 ethnic Sinhalese who fled their villages when the LTTE launched attack on Kallar military camp.
   
Internally Displaced elderly woman looks through the grilled window of the school turned into the camp for IDPs in Kapalthurai, Trincomalee.
     
  
Kanthale, Trincomalee
   
Trincomalee, Nilaveli - Sri Lanka Government soldier waits ashore for fishing boats who pass by to be checked before they are able to continue to sail.In the light of renewed fighting between Government Forces and the LTTE security checks are beefed up. In most coastal areas there is a ban on deep sea fishing affecting livelihood of many fisherman families in Trincomalee.
   
Kinniya, Sri LankaA young ethnic Tamil girl stands on the door step of the school kitchen, while her mother is preparing food for the rest of 180 Tamil families who were displaced from Ralkuli area.
     
  
Trincomalee, Sri LankaA young Muslim boy looks on, while his father is interviewed by UNHCR officials. Although he was born into displacement, the boy and his family are now among the many beneficiaries of UNHCR's scheme to provide houses in Muthunagar the displaced living with host families. His family can finally experience the joy living in a home of their own, hoping not to be displaced again.
  
Burned house of the ethnic Tamil family. Following the market bomb on 12th April 2006 which claimed lifes of several people, violence erupted in the streets of Trincomalee mobs of angry Sinhalese started to burn houses, shops and properties of Tamil community in Trincomalee town. Thousands of Tamil families had to flee and seek safety in other parts of the district. While Tamil villages were attacked by armed Sinhalese gangs police and military did not do anything to protect Tamil civilians.
   
Burned house of the ethnic Tamil family. Following the market bomb on 12th April 2006 which claimed lifes of several people, violence erupted in the streets of Trincomalee mobs of angry Sinhalese started to burn houses, shops and properties of Tamil community in Trincomalee town. Thousands of Tamil families had to flee and seek safety in other parts of the district. While Tamil villages were attacked by armed Sinhalese gangs police and military did not do anything to protect Tamil civilians.
     
  
Injured woman is rushed to the Trincomalee hospital after the brief cessasion of fire between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Army in town of Muttur.Some 45,000 people were pushed into displacement when the LTTE and Sri Lankan army engaged in firghting over town of Muttur. First convoy of injured people from Muttur was brought to Trincomalee onlyafter several days of fierce fighting with assistance of ICRC.
   
Kanthale, Trincomalee Sri LankaWhile fleeing to safety Ameera and her family were caught in the cross fire, one mortar shell exploded in the vicinity killing several people. Ameera was carrying a kerosene lamp which caught flame when she fealt on the groud. Only few weeks later she got a medical treatment.
   
Trincomalee, Sri LankaAfter being displaced seventeen years ago, Mohammed and his family eventually moved into a house belonging to his in-laws a few kilometers away from his original home. His work driving tractors brings in Rs. 600 (USD 6.00) per day, while the family also receives a 360-rupee monthly allowance under a government’s poverty alleviation scheme. Mohommed, one of Sri Lanka’s many to fall victim to the remnants of war, raises his sarong slightly to uncover the artificial limb that has replaced his left foot and ankle since he stepped on a mine while collecting firewood in 1989.
     
  
Kanthale, Sri Lanka.Makeshift tents in railway station IDP camp.
   
Kanthale, Sri LankaAn IDP in front of makeshift tent in Al-Rauf IDP camp.
  
Kanthale, Sri LankaUNHCR providing relief assitstance to the internally displaced persons in one of many camps for internally displaced people in Kanthale.
     
  
Trincomalee, Sri Lankaan IDP from Sampoor at the window of the school where 300 IDP families were sheltered during the April 2006 conflict.
   
Kanthale, Sri LankaIDPs in makeshift tent in railway station IDP camp
   
NGO workers talk to the camp leader in Al Shaifa camp for displaced people in Kanthale, Trincomalee.
     
  
Kilivetti, Trincomalee -Sri LankaUNHCR funded a building of Transit center for IDPs who were to return in Trincomalee district.
   
Iruthayapuram, Trincomalee Sri LankaCarmen Anthony Fernando (65), an IDP from Muttur receiving medical assistance by International Medial Corps doctor in IDP camp.
   
Muthunagar, Sri LankaSchool children in Muthunagar during a lunch break. United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is funding school feeding programme which encourage children to continue their studies by offering a free nutritious lunch. WFP’s activities in Sri Lanka continue to focus on providing support to the most vulnerable groups and for peace building to resolve the 23 year old conflict in the country through food assistance. The three main components of WFP interventions in Sri Lanka are: Nutritional supplementation to pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as to children 6 months to 5 years; School meals to address short term hunger in primary/secondary schools;Food for work for seasonally unemployed people and landless labourers.Emergency assistance to those who have fled conflict areas and have become internally displaced is the fourth component that is activated as and when necessary. These programmes assist population groups that constitute the most vulnerable and food insecure groups in the country.
     
  
Iruthayapuram, Trincomalee Sri LankaThree boys playing game of carram on the doorsteps of the Church where some 300 Tamil families sought refuge during the April 2006 clashes in the East.
   
Muthunagar, Sri Lanka
   
Punniady, Sri LankaAn IDP boy leaning against the sole bench of an otherwise empty classroom.
     
  
Thanganagar, Trincomalee Sri LankaA young girl on the doorsteps looking inside the classroom which is occupied by displaced families.
  
Kanthale, Trincomalee
   
     
  
   
Trincomalee Sri LankaTwo generations of displacement. Father and a son.
   
Jaffna, Sri LankaA land mine survivor
     
  
Serunuwara, Sri Lankadeserted Sinhalese village in Trincomalee district after an LTTE attack on the Kallar military base. Subsequent to this attack some 5,000 Sihalese fled from surrounding villages to Kanthale.
  
Koneswaram temple, located in Jaffna town is one of the biggest Hindu temple in Sri Lanka.
   
Colombo
     
  
Colombo.Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory over the Tamil tiger rebels.Following a renewal of fighting, a large-scale government offensive succeeded in breaking the long stalemate, and in January 2009 troops captured the northern town of Kilinochchi, held for ten years by the Tigers as their administrative headquarters.Thereafter, the army steadily pushed the Tamil Tigers into an ever shrinking area of the north-east, before finally overrunning the last rebel-held position in May and prompting the government to declare the Tamil Tigers defeated.International concern was raised about the fate of the estimated 70,000 to 200,000 civilians thought to have been caught up in the conflict zone.
   
Sri Lankan flag is seen to have been hoisted on the deserted beach of Unawattuna, south of Colombo. As the fightings escalated the tourism industry in sri lanka has dropped down dramatically, leaving once packed beaches with tourists, stare empty.Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory over the Tamil tiger rebels.Following a renewal of fighting, a large-scale government offensive succeeded in breaking the long stalemate, and in January 2009 troops captured the northern town of Kilinochchi, held for ten years by the Tigers as their administrative headquarters.Thereafter, the army steadily pushed the Tamil Tigers into an ever shrinking area of the north-east, before finally overrunning the last rebel-held position in May and prompting the government to declare the Tamil Tigers defeated.International concern was raised about the fate of the estimated 70,000 to 200,000 civilians thought to have been caught up in the conflict zone.
   
A bicycle is put to rest next to the Sri Lankan Army bunker, Trincomalee Sri Lanka.
     
  
hindu priest at the Kandaswammy temple in Tricomalee.
   
Galle Sri Lanka.
   
Galle, Sri Lanka
     
  
Fish vendors at the Galle market.
   
Galle, Sri Lanka.Girls of islamic school during the lunch break.
   
ColomboSri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory over the Tamil tiger rebels.Following a renewal of fighting, a large-scale government offensive succeeded in breaking the long stalemate, and in January 2009 troops captured the northern town of Kilinochchi, held for ten years by the Tigers as their administrative headquarters.Thereafter, the army steadily pushed the Tamil Tigers into an ever shrinking area of the north-east, before finally overrunning the last rebel-held position in May and prompting the government to declare the Tamil Tigers defeated.International concern was raised about the fate of the estimated 70,000 to 200,000 civilians thought to have been caught up in the conflict zone.