I can understand your frustration, formally working at a media agency its not that easy working with the government. all i can say is have hope and this will not be the last visit to the IDP camps

There is suffering when civillians get caught in war. After all havent innocent Afghan and Pakistani civillians got caught in bombings by the coalition troops?

The people are now liberated. What is important that the Sri Lankan government is doing all it can to alleviate their suffering. How about trying to stimulate jobs in the investment and create jobs in the region to give these people a respectable life instead of capialising on their suffering. Thats what you are doing you are trying to push your self to the limelight by capitalising on their suffering.

Is that all you have got to tell us???? Is that all you have got to tell the world about the sufferings of 100s of thousands of innocent civilians... the old men and women... the pregnant wives and the little ones who dont have food,water,house ,safety in their life and are suffering everyday under the wretched evil SL govt hand....

CNN stand up and fight the inhuman SL govt... CNN stand for truth.. the gods will be proud of you if u do so...

Please help the voiceless Tamils. At least your true voice may heal the the sufferings of Tamils who are in the Rajapakshe's Concentration camps

"
Tragedy of man kind is not the brutality of few, but the silence of many"

- Martin Luther King

Perhaps its time that the world should re-define genocide and war crimes !

Hi,

I think what the viewers (even the reporter) need to understand is that the war and terrorism is what brought these people here for safety. And of course you need to understand that this camp situations are temporary. Reporter simply need to understand that the winning against terror is much more valuable in the long run. Simply focusing on temporary issues just misleads the viewers.

Statement made by the reporter "Couldn't have been much worse".

This COULD have been much worse if the terrorists were still there fighting (That is what was happening for 25 years). They have been killing innocent civilians for nothing.

This is what the international community needs to understand. We were victims of war and no one criticizes what the terrorists have done to the country for 25 years. Everyone who doesnot understand says that the government is doing wrong. As a government they are doing best for the people in the country.

It's not nice to criticize without knowing what is actually going on. Specially a media giant like CNN.

BR,
CK

to have expected more shows your lack of understanding of the killing fields..

The Sri Lankan Government is obviously trying to hide some horrible truth. Why else would it prevent journalists and even aid workers from getting close to the refugees? During the war the authorities claimed they did so for the safety of the journalists and the workers. Now that the war has ended, what's their excuse?

With claims of genocide having been commited by the Sri Lankan forces against Tamil civlians, the international community must demand an independent inquiry. We can do without the hollow promises.

And let's not forget the underlying cause of the conflict that persists – discrimination by the (Buddhist) Sinhalese majority against the (Hindu, Christian and Muslim) Tamil minority.

Dear CNN,

Sri Lankan Goverment is not fighting TAMILS only the Tamil Tiger Terrorists. Pls try not to mix up the two and get your facts straight and be a responible when reporting. We have friends, relations who are tamils are we all live very peacefully and we have no issues, Only mislead, misguided people who wants a story create issues for everyone.

Yes we do have about 200,000 thousand people currenly in camps but soon they will be able to go back and set up homes where they will be free and not ruled under a dictor or a murderer. Pls dont forget the rest of 18.7 MILLION people of this beautifull country who live peacfully respectng each one either singalises, Tamil, Muslim or Burgher.

BE RESPONSIBLE AND GENUINE

Hey prem and Choka ,

Have you forgotten where these people came from??? If so let me remind you that they came looking for freedom after being used as HUMAN SHEILDS OF THE LTTE.

Wake up !!!! You are marketting the sefferng of your own people for your gain. Yes they have suffered much and the the President Mahinda Rajapakse and the governement are doing everything in their power to help them. Where were you when they were being used as Human Sheilds?
Id rather not sttop to name calling but this is hypocracy to its very hight.

Why international Community led this happen . Please do something to save the Tamils in SriLangka.US has to do something

Sara Sidner I have TWO question for you!

1) WHERE were you when LTTE was taking these people from one area to the other when they (LTTE) were losing terrotory?
2) WHAT did you write about those stories of suffering?

We were living in Sri Lanka for more than 30 years and has seen so many bombings by LTTE .. so many bodies including children.. each day we were waiting till our children comes back to home with uncertinity .. this was not only for the Sinhalese but for the larger Tamil comunity who work peacefully with us in Colombo.. Prabhakran who has used tamil struggle to fullfuill his mentall problems has done a massive damage to all these tamil people.. without him Jaffna was only second to Colombo .. now these stupid western powers without understanding about our people going to mess it again.. and result will be another Irak or vietnam.. and some day you will have all this asian countires after you for the terror you spread through out the world..

we are living in sri lanka, we know the truth, we took care and will take care majority of tamils live in other part of the country. Similarly we will do our best for the victims of the baberic LTTE. But it will take time and thease camps are temporary camps and not intended to keep those people for ever in camps.
BUT MAIN THING IS YOU, WESTERN PEOPLE STILL THINK THIS COUNTRY AS THERE COLONOIAL TEROTARIES. YOU THINK YOU ARE THE BEST FOR ALL TIMS. YOU ARE NOT TOLARATE THE COUNTRYS WHO DID THINGS BETTER THAN YOU.
We will take care our brothers and systers in our way with limited resources we had. And please mind your own buisness untill Babaric LTTE ruin your economis in near future.

The was has come for an end. Now everybody must help Sri Lanka to develop the nation.Shall we forget all other problems on sri lanka?

Hello People,
I don't think you even know where these people came from and what really happened to them. There are people who have the mentaly of assisting and supporting any thing destructive! We know how to take care of our people! You'l pls stay away from our problem since you'l even don't care of your own family mebers!

The war Has come to an end .Everybody must help Sri Lanka ASAP.that means helping innocent people.

Hey you, don't just go to Sri Lanka. Go and visit Iraq, Afganistan or Pakistan and see what had happened or what is happening there.
Please don't be biased and compare with what had happened and what is happening there with Sri Lanka. and see who has the better record.
Then you will realize what the truth is. It is not the truth that European countries preach but the stark truth that Sri Lanka has won the war despite of the obstacles after 30 yrs and over 70,000 dead bodies of innocent people inclusive of infants/ babies, child monks, pregnant mothers, senior elderly people.
Open your eyes and minds too, please don't be blind to to the atrocities committed by the LTTE.

justice is not done by the big powers in the last 50 years, be it palestine or srilanka or iraq or afghanistan, the big boys with power in the world look things with "THIER OWN INTEREST" thats where the probelm, is .. U.N is mere formality, and used or rather by big powers to address thier interest, they claim to be champions of DEMOCRACY, why dont they apply it UN, why these big 5 are holding power. think,, critically. it is all about big 5's interest.

Having lived in Sri Lanka for a few years, I am particularly pained with the situation that this country has got itself into. During 2004-2006, when I lived in Colombo, there were extra judicial killings, kidnappings and harrassment of Tamil civilians in that country. As an example...a cable TV operation was closed down because it had Tamil ownership. The government has not been able to present sufficient evidence that it cares about the Tamils or to guarantee them any sorts of human rights.

What does a disenfranchised and marginalized population do other than fight for its right! An armed struggle is only a natural way to fight opression! I don't condone terrorism but I believe there has been very little way out for the Tamils.

What destroys me completely is how the international community and particularly India has left SL to its own devices! Mr. rajapaksa and his coterie need to now be more accountable and transparent about how they go about restoring basic living conditions and rehabilitation for the surviving Tamils .

I think most Indian politicians have no understanding of Sri Lanka which is why its important for the Tamil leaders in India take up the cause:

I am neither tamil nor Sinhala...I have friends in both communities. At least India and the International community must impress upon Mr. rajpaksa to restore some dignity back to the surviving Tamils

Seems to be no one knew about Sri Lanka before 2009. Where were all these so called International Community when people were killed by Suicide Bombers, masaccers in villages towns, 24 hour notice to leave Muslims and Sinhalese from Jaffna. killings at religous places. Killing priests, monks, children and babies. Have they blocked anyones rights, have they violated anyone's rights. It is point less even wiritng...................

This is typical of the Western Media bemoaning when they do not get what they feel is their God Given right. Who has made CNN or for that matter the western reporters the arbiters of truth?? Where are the CNN stories about the atrocities of the LTTE including them having Child soldiers, ethnically cleansing Muslims and killing moderate Tamil leaders. The Govt has rescued over 200k people who were held hostage by the LTTE as a civilian shield. LTTE being the animals they are, are hiding in this 200k. The govt has to first weed them out. Things may not be ideal as they should be but surely better than being human shields. So Sara Sidner who cares about your frustrations? You are not important, its those innocent people who are. Rest assured we the people of this country and the Govt will look after the innocent people. We don't need your condescending advice. You please look after your Hurricane Katrina victims who are even today living in temporarry shelters.

The tamils all over the world have been shouted for months about the genocide that was taking place. Where were the media then. For KT, The LTTE never took people from one place to another the people followed them, now everyone knows why they did it. The reason CNN was not allowed to write about anything is because free media has not been allowed in sri lanaka for years.

PLEASE DON'T KEEP QUIET ANY MORE. Show the misery andinhuman conditions my people are subjected to.

Why didn't you think about innocent tamil people when they were kept as human shield by LTTE!!!

You guys don't think abot people , you only want create a news and earn money!!!

It seems to be that the western world is jealousy about sri lanka's victory.

Poor Government is trying to serve their level best to serve the displaced civilians.

Good that you were able to report atleast one report with the U.N. delegation.
Let's face this... if Sri Lanka does not have anything to hide...
why are they not letting the Independent media to enter into the IDP camps? Obviously they will have former terrorists in the camp. But what will happen if the media comes into the camp. Will they hide behind them and escape? Please clarify.
And the government of Sri Lanka would not have to fear of any war crimes tribunal, if they did not do any crime. So come forward and declare that you are innocent. And this will be a better oppertunity to declare violent acts of the LTTE also. Please refrain from commenting for the sake of doing it. Do it with valid reasons.

U ppl can say anything about sri lanka,u forigners do not live here,,
we peacefully live all sinhala ,,tamils and muslims others together,,
for u own good do not make any worse comment to other country,,
by givin false information u making u livin,,but pls open ur eyes,,

prbakaran and his gang were the most worse dangeroues bunch of idots on this plannet lucky for us and luck for whole world,,our brave soldires killed them,,

did u ever wonder how our ppl worry to travel on a bus in colombo,,
cos of their bombs,,

Hi Agnes,

I am sorry to see that you believe the SL govt claim that thy came from being Human shield.
No, these are people who would have given anything to stay back rather than come into the hands of the SL govt. Now they have no aid in the refugee camp. Gone are their days of realizing any prosperity whatsoever in their life!

It’s very unfortunate that the SL govt's propaganda that these people were used as human shields has been well bought by many people.

Sri Lanka and India has a civiliztion that goes back over 2500 years. Sinhalese and Tamils have been living together peacefully for thousands of years in Sri Lanka until LTTE began its violent campaign against Sri Lankan govt and its citizens merely for carving out a separate homeland for Tamils within Sri Lanka. LTTE has killed thousands of innocent civilians, leaders and moderate Tamils to achieve their goal. Sri Lankan Government has a duty to protect its citizens from these ruthless killers. I am sure western countries would have done the same in a similar situation. Sinhalese are compassionate people and they know all about human rights and wrongs way before western civilization.

CNN, take a look at the genocide committed by the LTTE by systematically killing every single Sinhalese and those Tamils oppose to their view, lived in the areas under their control.

If Sri Lanka government needs to commit genocide of Tamils why have they silenced the guns after defeating the LTTE terrorists, while Tamil people still live in Sri Lanka?

All of a sudden the "Western Superpowers" seems to have developed an interest in this poor island nation. What were you doing for 30 years when terrorists went on a killing spree. What did you do to stop them? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Sara, we simply don't want to see your crap. How about visiting Afghanistan or Iraq, where your superpowers were doing theirs best to create a mess. Please, for god's sake mind your own business.

sara sidner,

I have seen all your reports on the sri lankan war. All of those reports are biased. You only talk about the suffering of the people in the displaced camps.

Why dont you talk about the brutalities of the LTTE?? Most of these girls are pregnant because they wanted to escaped from being a cadre for the LTTE. Be a true journalist, talk about the both sides of the story.

HiAll,

As Sri lankan we had peaceful life. LTTe tried to break taht bond . Now we are having peaceful life. even tamils who stayed at LTTE held area had so many difficultis but that time nobody raise any queries over their problems. Now all tamils muslims and sinhalese can have peaceful life. Come and see how south sri lankans donate their meals and clothes for north sri lankans.
As Sri lankans we all will rebuild our nation please try to help this rather making unnecessary problems.

i' m frustated too to see your comment.....
dear sara you didn't have that pity when those innocent people were hostages in that cruelty till sl army rescue them.did u?
didn't u see live how sl army cuddle even adults under showers of bullets flying over their heads to save those innocent people.
and didn't u hear since the very first day of they were rescued...our people have been serving them....even with their day today rations.....by sending them continuosly with loads of foods ,clothes....which given by our own sinhala people from south .....pl ....pl.....try to see the reality.........try to be fair

I find reading some of your comments funny: "we had peaceful life until the brutal LTTE started their war"!!! Do you know the history of your own country? Do you think that people start war without a reason? Don't you know about the many cases of singhala mob murdering Tamils, of the state discrimination of Tamil people, what about Singhala only! You guys have brought this war on yourself, by discriminating Tamil people by all means and many years until finally their patience ran out. Nothing in this world is black and white, LTTE did commit crimes, but Singhallese people and especially the army did their fair share. If not why wouldn't they let anybody to the north all these years? And what about the tsunami relief? When your Buddhist monks went on strike on mentioning any help being sent to the north? Why was the convoy with humanitarian help stopped and only thanks to Murali's intervention it could proceed!
Be fair study your own history and maybe then you will understand that there is much more to the conflict than LTTE. Because, if you don't and if you won't change your attitude, the conflict will come back sooner or later.

Hi all , i dont believe in the LTTE approach but ask the question why they have to do it

why did the people move with them , a small army of cadres cannot move a population of 250000 people. the LTTE is people from tamil population , and people believe in the cause.

the present govt is an extreme one , 80% of the sinhalese are fair minded people. but currently 20% of the extreme is running the show
and the showing their true colors

Sara i think you are doing a good job keep it up

Maybe as a Sinhalese you had a peaceful life...But as a Tamil we never had a peaceful life even before the war started. You know why? Because TAMILS were being discriminated against in politics, employment and education.

this is the time the world people need to understand about sri lankan government who didn't really fight for tamil people . If they did why they treat tamil people in this condition like prisoners.unless Sl government understand tamils' problem they never going to have peace in SL. No matter that they said they wipe out ltte.

The discrimination against Tamils and ethnic cleansing started long before the LTTE and will not stop after they have gone. If the government has nothing to hide why stop Red Cross and NGOs and the media when coming into the camps ? Why not remove emergency powers ?

After each genocide the world vows never again. Unfortunately the are silent again . The ultra right wing Buddhist monks will never allow even limited autonomy to the people. Even Sinhalese newspaper editors who criticize the government are killed and silenced.

Two things will happen – either all Tamils will be killed or driven away or another war will resume unless the international community steps in to impose sanctions on Sri Lanka until it agrees to give Tamils their basic human rights.

Vikram

I think we need to understand why the SL govt may be reluctant to allow vistits by foreign journalists etc. In these IDP camps there are large numbetrs of LTTE pesonnel still masquerading as civilians. Only this morning there was a report of apprehension of the LTTE womens wing leader from one of the camps. Until these issues are sorted, security masy be tight. Remember US took some of their suspects to Guantanamao. How may CNN (oe any other) journalists were allowed in there a week after the camps was set up?

Mr.Wickramasinghe....if you lost say about 30 relatives in your own family and you left alone sunddenly...how do you feel? do you advise like this...."let's forgot" lies comes first but cannot live long days, truth come late but it stays forever.