A Part of the History of Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka has been known by several names, including Serendib, Ceylon and Taprobane. It gained independence from Great Britain in 1948. This post-colonial period of time resulted in a democratic weakness, allowing many politicians to rally and appeal to the different cultural and ethnic groups making up the population. Subsequent flashpoints occurred over the ensuing decades. However, in about 1983, a somewhat disproportionate reprisal against the minority Tamils in Colombo and elsewhere, started an ongoing civil war which has waxed and waned. These conflicts are now referred to as the Eelam wars.

The current conflict ended with an agreement in April of 2009. The Tamil Tigers (LTTE) escaped into the jungle around the area of Mullaitivu.