New Internationalist - 11.2019 - 12.2019

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Vanni – Sri Lanka’s civil war

And most had at least one

family member buried in one

of the vast martyrs’ graveyards

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and remembrance festivals

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cause of Tamil liberation.

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Communities in Vanni could begin
to rebuild. Simple huts began to
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bicycles; televisions and satellite
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In December 2004 coastal regions
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tsunami. International agencies moved
aid and resources into the north.

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vast numbers of civilians.

The international community remained essentially passive throughout.

In 2007 the SL A began a
devastating campaign to clear
the LT TE from the south of Vanni.
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villages. By night deafening
explosions shattered the usual
meditative sounds of frogs and
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shelters in the open.

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 41