The IDP tragedy of Sri Lanka is only one issue of a complex and violent conflict which has lasted for 20 years. The forced displacement of communities from Northern Sri Lanka is one of the consequences of the struggle by the LTTE against the Government for a separate homeland. The majority of displaced people in Sri Lanka are Tamils many of whom fled violent clashes between Tamil and Sinhalese factions during the 1980s. However, in October 1990, the LTTE ordered thousands of Muslims to leave the Northern provinces of Mannar, Mullaitivu and Jaffna. They were given only hours to leave their homes and belongings and were only allowed to take 300 rupees each with them.    

Forced displacement from Northern Sri Lanka continued indiscriminately throughout the 1990s but those in the 1990 expulsion fled to districts such as Anuradhapura, Puttalam and the Kalpitiya Peninsula where other Muslim communities were established. These communities some of which were already living in impoverished conditions welcomed these people and provided them with land, food and other essential resources.

Throughout the 1990s Northern Sri Lanka witnessed regular and violent clashes between militant groups and armed forces which contributed to an atmosphere of oppression and fear.  

For those living in either LTTE or Government controlled areas it was an extremely tense and volatile time as all aspects of public movement was strictly controlled. Everyone was required to carry movement passes, roadblocks and checkpoints were established everywhere, 'round up' and 'cordon and search' operations by the armed forces were daily occurrences. Even at home people were not safe. Shelling, artillery attacks, killings, kidnappings, arbitrary arrests, disappearances and threatening behavior by both the LTTE and armed forces were rampant. 

For those living in IDP camps and welfare centres the situation was even worse. In order to survive people were dependant on the assistance of international aid agencies and local NGOs and in so many cases it was left to the host communities to provide help. This led in some areas, particularly in the Puttalam District where resources were already extremely limited, to tension between the host community and displaced people. For many people this situation has remained static for 12 years and as a result are increasingly becoming marginalized from society.  

The uni-lateral ceasefire declared by the LTTE in December 2001 and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the LTTE and the Government in early 2002 marked the beginning of a cautious but optimistic period of peace in Sri Lanka. The ceasefire has held ground and the successful peace talks between both sides in Thailand and Norway indicate that progress continues to be made.

The government in conjunction with international agencies is now assessing the situation regarding the displaced community. Although the ceasefire has brought greater freedom of movement for thousands of people who are leaving welfare centres to return to their former homes, new problems have inevitably arisen. Many IDPs have returned to their former homes to find them either occupied by other people or destroyed due to the conflict. Often it is too dangerous to return to their former homes or land since they may be located in uncleared (mined) areas. However, welfare camps are closing and dried food rations have been reduced or stopped which has forced some people to return.  As such the government and assisting agencies are having to find sustainable ways to facilitate the return of so many people.

For some IDPs, returning to their homes has brought a brighter future due to resettlement assistance provided by the Government and aid agencies. However, for others the situation is far from clear. Tensions remain, particularly in the Puttalam district, between IDPs and the host community due to some IDPs deciding to permanently stay even though resources and facilities are already inadequate. Others have experienced re-integration problems in areas such as Mannar due to misunderstandings between returnees and the host community there. It is a sad indictment of the consequences of this bitter conflict that people  whose lives have already been badly affected continue to face significant problems upon their return. The ceasefire may continue but the peace process has a long way to go.

One of the many camps that the IDP's are living for the past 14 years.

This Mosque situated in Poovarasankulam Village, Mannar was badly damaged during fighting during the 1990s

Displacement often causes severe disruption to children's education. Problems include extra burden on schools already under funded and ill-equipped plus in some schools the drop out rate for children is extremely high.

One of the  houses in Chilawaththurai, Mannar damaged during fighting

Women's protest march against alcohol abuse in Vavuniya. With high levels of unemployment and poverty misuse of alcohol is a huge problem in some IDP camps and welfare centres

One of the 83 resettlement villages in the      Puttalam District