News in Pictures: The Day After

Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai in Menik Farm, Vavuniya District




Until its closure on 23rd September 2012, Menik Farm remained the largest camp for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka. The massive camp for the displaced consisted of nine zones and 21 camp areas.

At the height of the war in 2008 ~ 2009 , the sprawling 700 hectare camp was home to over 350,000 IDPs and with the resettlement drive, people were gradually moved out and resettled in their paces of origin. With the final batch of IDPs comprising 1,185 persons from four villages in the Mullathivu district ~ Keppappilavu, Seeniyamottai, Sooriyapuram and Pilakkudiyiruppu being moved out of Menik Farm on 24th September. The government officially declared the camp closed.

These pictures were captured by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai , just the day after the closure of the world’s largest internment camp.

View from the entrance of of Menik farm

Mother and son walk out of Kathirkaamar Relief Village

Clearing operation is underway at Anantha Kumaraswamy Relief Village

Chettikkulam Co~Op lorry with left over wooden planks, etc and leaves Anantha Kumaraswamy Relief Village

Zone 01, Anantha Kumaraswamy Relief Village in Chettikkulam, Vavuniya

Close(d) up view

Through the "Barbed Wires"

Dismantling the shelters after the closure

Another scene at Anantha Kumaraswamy Relief Village

On foot after school ~ scene at the right back of Kathirkaamar Relief Village

Scene at Anantha Kumaraswamy Relief Village

UN container at Kathirkaamar Relief Village (Zone 0) in Chettikkulam, Vavuniya

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Courtesy : CEYLON TODAY