The armed conflict in Sri Lanka is over, but still the government has not given a satisfactory political solution for the Tamils who live in North and East Sri Lanka. After 30 years, people have to face and deal with so many new things - such as a new governing system and a new laws. The post-war period of Sri Lanka is complicated, primarily because people do not have any support to overcome their sadness, loss, tension and frustrations from the conflict. Civilians were the most vulnerable group in the conflict period, so giving basic solutions for them is not sufficient at all. There are so many people in north and south with post war traumatic experiences. The government has to take steps to support them, or else to help non-government organizations to create support structures. Unfortunately, it seems that the necessary steps are not being taken by the government to help these people. One year on from the end of the fighting, there are still some 370,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), many living in miserable conditions. The government is still talking about the political solution for ethnic conflict, but it has narrowed down to just talk. I believe that if the government can’t win the trust of Tamils in the North and East of Sri Lanka, then it will be difficult to stop terrorist activities, in Sri Lanka and internationally. People are asking for freedom. The challenge is to identify who would be wiling to support them. If the government can win their trust and support them, that would be a great achievement. Otherwise, trust in the government will fall.
When I was in East Sri Lanka recently I met a retired school teacher, aged 74. I talked with him to get an idea about the thinking of Tamil people at this time. He said "I have seen so many dead bodies so I don’t want to see that again. I don’t know whether the government can take care of and support us to solve our problems but still I have a hope." It seems that people still live in hope for peace and justice in Sri Lanka.
