OH JAFFNA!!!

as the dust settles...

 Having lived in Sri Lanka for many years, I'd never been to Jaffna before. I finally made the trip, but didn't shoot as a journalist or to tell a story. I did come away with some strong impressions, though. I remember before the civil war broke out in 1983 (which lasted more than 25 years) Jaffna being targeted for greatness for many reasons. 1.1 million lived here then, today 400,000... Nearly 28,000 Tamils died fighting and possibly 40,000 civilians were killed in the last few months before the war came to a brutal halt. One in ten who live there today are disabled! Many who could, left. Hope deferred makes the heart sick...
This controversial war took a heavy toll on both sides with nothing resolved by the exercise, revealing once again that ultimately war IS terror!
It's a sorry fact but many times a people's worst enemy happens to be their own government...and don't forget, war is good for business!
Here is the town library, touted as the finest in Asia, before it was burned down in 1981...the rest is history

 Ok, enough...Here are some random pix around town and the surrounding area...

Holding out for true reconciliation and better days ahead... tbc :^) T