IDP Voices - Balu Selvanayagam

(September 28, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka Guardian) We were living in Andankulam in Mannar. We displaced to Madhu but later we were told to go back to Andankulam by the LTTE. Sometime later, from Ankankulam we displaced to Periyamadu and from there we displaced to Iluppakkadavai. From there because of shelling we displaced Paliyaru. From there we again displaced to Kanesapuram. From Kanesapuram we displaced to Anaivilunthan. From there we displaced yet again to Murippu in Kilinochchi. From Murippu we have come here to Vaddakachchi.

In Ankankulam I worked in a bakery. I have three children; my youngest is nine months old. Since we started this repeated displacement a year ago, we have no income. I cannot find work. We keep selling our small possessions to buy food. The last thing we sold was the tiny gold earring of this child. She is now wearing an imitation earring.

We have not received much assistance in the form of relief. This hut is no protection from rain. If it rains we have to seek protection in a temple; that is all we can do. –LTTE Peace - Sri Lanka Guardian