The photo, according to the newspaper, shows captured Tamil Tiger fighters in the last stages of the war in May 2009. Now, 15 years after the end of the long battle between Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil Tiger separatists, Thilakawathi searches for answers. The mistreatment of Tamils sparked a rebellion, with Tamil Tiger fighters eventually creating a de facto independent homeland in the country’s north. The Tamil Tigers were accused of conscripting child soldiers, holding civilians as human shields and killing those trying to escape. As the Tamil Tigers retreated under a government onslaught, Tamil civilians fled with them into their shrinking territory.

Source: ABC News May 18, 2024 14:40 UTC