http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20111107_01

Coming out from the cage
Once the long waited peace dawned on the people of this country, huge crowds started rushing to Jaffna every day. Many of them have never been there before. The 30 years war is over and they are now at last free to visit those areas the Tigers once claimed as theirs. They are eager to visit many places of worship. They are genuinely happy to be there, moving from Nallur to Mavattapuram, Keerimalai, Nagadeepa, Dambakola Pattuna and Kandarodai.
Chatty beach is beautiful and no wonder visitors flock there. Of course there's plenty of space for merry making too. Busloads of picnickers from the South can be seen singing and dancing on the beach.
One may criticise this large influx of visitors can hinder routine life of locals. However, everyone has to weigh up the pros and cons. When looking at more positively, this gives plenty of opportunities for both people of the North and the South at least to meet freely and begin to trust each other, which could later lead to building bridges between all ethnicities in the country. Moreover, it is interesting to hear both parties know how to ask and give directions, order and serve food etc; and for the moment it is a good sign of growing future relationships between them. However, to understand each other's feelings, to share experiences, hopes and aspirations require deeper understanding and sound knowledge of each other's language and one can hope that, this will happen in the course of time.
Apart from that, many who left the country during the period of war, especially in the North, now have started returning to their native places. While many have come to see their parents, relations, friends etc. relatively there are large number of families have come here to begin their new lives with their own brethren. According to military sources, averagely over 9000 Tamil expatriates are visiting north monthly and have come to visit their families. Most recently, 1690 members of 656 families have returned to Jaffna from India in the last month and to settle in their home villages. "I left the country in early 90's with my family, only to protect my two children from LTTE's forcible child recruitment. My home town is Point Pedro." said Doreiappa Selvanathan (57) speaking to defence.lk correspondent in Vavunia.
The message of peace has already been touched all corners of the world. Many have realized Sri Lanka is now a safe place. Recent statistics released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in the month of October 2011 says the story behind.
Accordingly, the number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka went up 27.2% to 60,219 in the month of October 2011, compared to October 2010 which was only 47,339. Figures showed an increase in the number of arrivals from Western Europe, South Asia, East Asia, Middle East and North America.
Still, many Sri Lankan Tamils, especially who are being misled and who haven't been here, surely have different perspective on this country. However, the change should come within. Tennessee Williams (1911 - 1983) U.S. playwright once said "Caged birds accept each other but flight is what they long for". So the freedom is for everyone to come out and see the worldComing out from the cage
Once the long waited peace dawned on the people of this country, huge crowds started rushing to Jaffna every day. Many of them have never been there before. The 30 years war is over and they are now at last free to visit those areas the Tigers once claimed as theirs. They are eager to visit many places of worship. They are genuinely happy to be there, moving from Nallur to Mavattapuram, Keerimalai, Nagadeepa, Dambakola Pattuna and Kandarodai.
Chatty beach is beautiful and no wonder visitors flock there. Of course there's plenty of space for merry making too. Busloads of picnickers from the South can be seen singing and dancing on the beach.
One may criticise this large influx of visitors can hinder routine life of locals. However, everyone has to weigh up the pros and cons. When looking at more positively, this gives plenty of opportunities for both people of the North and the South at least to meet freely and begin to trust each other, which could later lead to building bridges between all ethnicities in the country. Moreover, it is interesting to hear both parties know how to ask and give directions, order and serve food etc; and for the moment it is a good sign of growing future relationships between them. However, to understand each other's feelings, to share experiences, hopes and aspirations require deeper understanding and sound knowledge of each other's language and one can hope that, this will happen in the course of time.
Apart from that, many who left the country during the period of war, especially in the North, now have started returning to their native places. While many have come to see their parents, relations, friends etc. relatively there are large number of families have come here to begin their new lives with their own brethren. According to military sources, averagely over 9000 Tamil expatriates are visiting north monthly and have come to visit their families. Most recently, 1690 members of 656 families have returned to Jaffna from India in the last month and to settle in their home villages. "I left the country in early 90's with my family, only to protect my two children from LTTE's forcible child recruitment. My home town is Point Pedro." said Doreiappa Selvanathan (57) speaking to defence.lk correspondent in Vavunia.
The message of peace has already been touched all corners of the world. Many have realized Sri Lanka is now a safe place. Recent statistics released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in the month of October 2011 says the story behind.
Accordingly, the number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka went up 27.2% to 60,219 in the month of October 2011, compared to October 2010 which was only 47,339. Figures showed an increase in the number of arrivals from Western Europe, South Asia, East Asia, Middle East and North America.
Still, many Sri Lankan Tamils, especially who are being misled and who haven't been here, surely have different perspective on this country. However, the change should come within. Tennessee Williams (1911 - 1983) U.S. playwright once said "Caged birds accept each other but flight is what they long for". So the freedom is for everyone to come out and see the world