SUFFERINGS OF INNOCENT SOULS

HR violations is a major issue in Sri Lanka. Rape, Torture, Kidnapping, Intimidation, Ransom, Killing of media men and politicians etc are the main factors of HR violations in the island of Sri Lanka, once called “the land of paradise”. This book covers stories on HR violations caused by the ethnic war, some of them based on real incidents. After the independence from the British in 1948, the relationship between the majority and minority communities gradually deteriorated with the occurrence of several communal riots, the worst being the one in 1983. Policies of the Government lead the Tamil youths to take up to arms, when they found that there future are bleak. The first long story titled “Sufferings of innocent Souls” reflects the grievances of the internally displaced (IDP) Tamil citizens after the war. The involvement of paramilitary groups in HR violations is another factor pointed out in some stories. The story “Beach boy” covers the damaged caused by sexual tourism. The story “Temple entry” deals with caste system that prevented low caste people to have access to temples; “White Van” story is based on the kidnapping vehicle used for killing or disappearance and serves as a tool for HR violation in the island.