Sri Lankan troubles continue
19/10/2006
Despite the forthcoming peace talks, the 30-year-long conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebel group continues unabated. Wednesday’s attack on the tourist city of Galle was the latest in the escalation of violence on the Indian Ocean island.
The attack, which killed at least two people at a naval base in the southern port city of Galle, was unusual in its targeting of a city in the South, far from the Tamil Tiger-controlled areas in the North and East of the country.
The SOS Children’s Village in the city was in no way harmed in the attack and all children, mothers and staff are safe. The attack has, however, led to a certain level of unrest in the city, with the looting and burning of Tamil-run shops and establishments. The authorities have put the city under curfew and locals although life is getting back to normal.
Monday’s suicide attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on a military bus convoy travelling near Habarana, to the north of the country, claimed 99 lives and injured many more. The convoy of unarmed navy personnel was travelling to the Eastern sea port of Trincomalee.
None of the five SOS Children’s Villages in Sri Lanka has been affected by the unrest, although the heightened political situation has hampered post-tsunami reconstruction work along the Eastern coast.
Relevant Countries: Sri Lanka.