National Microfinance Study of Sri Lanka: Survey of Practices and ...

Environmental Overview of the North & East Region
People
It is estimated that some 1.7 million people have been displaced, at least once, in
the past eighteen years of the armed conflict. Approximately 800,000 of these
people are internally displaced. This does not include the recent displacement of
172,000 people in the Jaffna Peninsula in May 2000. In addition another 2.5
million people live in areas of direct military activity with a constant risk of
displacement.
From early in 1999 through to mid 2000 the position of the protagonists in the
northern districts was in a state of flux as both sides continued to dispute large
areas of the Wanni. The GoSL forces engaged in a series of operations to 'clear'
most of the Mannar District and Vavuniya north, the LTTE replied to these
incursions in November 1999 and through into 2000 by recovering the ground
gained by the GoSL over the previous two years. In mid 2000 the LTTE advanced
through Elephant Pass and retook one third of the peninsula displacing some
172,000 people.
These military operations caused further displacements of thousands of families
throughout the affected areas. For example, out of 900,000 children in the North
and East region 300,000 children have been displaced and approximately 270,000
remain displaced today.
For the past 18 months there has been a ‘stand off’ between the protagonists and
rehabilitation activity in the ‘cleared’ area of the peninsula has recommenced. By
December 2001 a ceasefire had been declared and this is rapidly developing into a
process that is reaching towards a negotiated peace settlement with both
protagonists appearing to desire at the very least dialogue rather than conflict.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) constitute the most depressed community
group of the conflict, uprooted as they are from their social and economic bases,
having suffered great loss in terms of property and livelihood. They continue to
face an uncertain future and most have suffered multiple displacements.
A considerable number of children and young people are engaged in paid work to
supplement family income or to support younger siblings. With the dissolution of
the social and moral fabric, violence against women and girls has increased and
drug abuse has become chronic in many parts of the areas affected by the conflict
(UNICEF, 2000).
Without structures of formal employment and the necessity of obtaining cash as a
means of survival then underage voluntary and enforced conscription into one of
the protagonists ‘armies’ or the armed political parties, prostitution, black and
grey market exchange of ‘illegal’ goods and services abound throughout the
North and East region and the neighbouring districts.
Informal ‘taxation, on all movement of people, goods and money by both
protagonists and their supporters is part of daily life and can be observed openly
from the Jaffna Peninsula, in the Wanni area and throughout the North and East
region ‘cleared and uncleared’.