Pictorial: Embedded in Silavaththurai
November 30th, 2007
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
Silavaththurai was in the news locally and internationally in August-September 2007.
I was one of the first few journalists who were on an embedded tour with the Sri Lankan Army to Silavaththurai in September 2007. We went to Naanaattan by van, from Naanaattaan to Arippu by Unicorn, crossed Arippu lagoon by boat and then finally from Arippu to Silavaththuari by tractor. We walked through jungles to witness the former territory controlled by the LTTE. The journey from Arippu to Silavaththurai on a red sandy and dry road took almost two hours, because of the condition of the road.
Civilians got displaced as fighting broke out between the Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE. People from this area came to Murungan and stayed in welfare camps.
Abandoned LTTE camp in Silavaththurai
A medical camp of the LTTE
Sri Lankan Army solider looking at a Johnny mine
Bombed LTTE sea tiger base in Silavaththurai
Civilians abandoned their boats in Arippu due to fighting and displacement
Soldiers in Arippu
Abandoned bullock cart in Arippu
LTTE bunker is Silavaththurai
Sri Lankan Army soldier walks pass a bunker in Silavaththurai
Houses are sealed to protect the belongings from looting
Soldiers in Arippu
Boats abandoned by the civilians are being recovered by the soldiers and taken for a safe place, and will be handed over to the owners
Another camp used by the LTTE in the jungle of Silavaththurai
Desserted Arippu
Photojournalist of the Sunday Times Saman Kariyavasam taking photos in Arippu
Destroyed monument in Arippu
Divisional Secretariat of Musali
Another bunker used by the LTTE in Silavaththurai
Roman Catholic Vidyalayam in Arippu
Recovered weapons are displayed at the Thallady camp
LTTE flag is displayed at Thallady camp
Portraits of martyrs are displaced among the recovered items
Cut-out among the displayed
Main street in Mannar town
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Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com
Entry Filed under: Peace & War