For a country marred by a 20-year war and a natural disaster, Sri Lanka seems to be in a more positive place. From 1983 to 2001, the Sri Lankan Government fought the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a ‘terrorist’ organisation that advocated a separate ethnic Tamil state in both the north and east of the country. Throughout the civil war, the country was severely affected by military occupation, extensive damage, insurgent uprising and the displacement of its citizens. In April 2011, a three-member panel of the United Nations released a 200-page report estimating that some 40,000 civilians were killed in the war. This was the first UN estimate of the death toll from the war. The report also accused both sides of committing war crimes against humanity, a sentiment the Sri Lankan Government vehemently denies.
The ravages of the ongoing war were further compounded in 2004, when the Boxing Day tsunami swept thousands of people to their deaths and left trails of unmitigated destruction in its wake. Despite all of their hardships, however, the Sri Lankan people have courageously begun to rebuild their country. Showing amazing resilience, they have forged new hope for the future. This photo-essay documents daily life in post-war Sri Lanka. From the fortified city of Galle, built by the Europeans to the pristine hills of Kandy.
Sri Lankans marching in the May Day parade in May 2011, Colombo.
Locals driving down the street in Sri Lanka’s southern city of Galle.
A trishaw and local store, Sri Lanka.
The local cinema in Galle, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankans marching in the May Day parade in May 2011, Colombo.
Inside the Galle Fort, which was heavily affected by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Galle is an example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese and Dutch throughout the 16th and 18th centuries. Strong European influences can be seen in the architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle fort is a world heritage [...]
A woman walks down the street in Sri Lanka’s southern city of Galle.
A street in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Some local youths posing in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
The Galle Services club inside the Galle Fort, which was heavily affected by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Galle is an example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese and Dutch throughout the 16th and 18th centuries. Strong European influences can be seen in the architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle fort [...]
Sri Lankans marching in the May Day parade in May 2011, Colombo.
A local convenience store in a small town near Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankans marching in the May Day parade in May 2011, Colombo.
Some houses in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Some local youths Kandy, Sri Lanka.
A local seen riding his bicycle through the streets of Galle, Sri Lanka.
Inside the Galle Fort, which was heavily affected by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Galle is an example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese and Dutch throughout the 16th and 18th centuries. Strong European influences can be seen in the architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle fort is a world heritage [...]
