Sri Lanka Travel Forum

JUST READING ON THE INTERNET THAT THE REBELS HAVE SURRENDERED AND THE WAR IS VIRTUALLY O V E R !!?!?!?

Would love to hear accounts of what is happening around the country!!

The war is not over, but it can't be long. The remaining LTTE cadres are confined to a 200x200 m area according to BBC.

LTTE is ready to “silence it's guns” in order to save the lives of civilians still caught up in the fighting. However there was no mention of a Tiger surrender.

Are you there NOW, Hans?? the article is: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30765851/

No, I came back Wednesday night after 8 weeks there.

I think BBC is closer to reality than MSN.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8054169.stm

Yes Hans is right. But to add: the war activities almost never were a problem for tourists outside the North and East. Terrorism was. Whether this will cease now that there is no fixed territory for LTTE anymore, or increase on the contrary - hard to say. But most likely IF it increases it will keep the same old pattern: mostly aimed at government buildings/staff and mostly in/around Colombo town. So as long as tourists stay clear from that, and that's easy on the beaches and around the attractions inland, not much to worry...

All the best,

<Erik> & [Sandya]

Hi Trish,

Yes, the war in Sri Lanka, is over. Just a while ago the leader of the LTTE Prabakaran was also shot dead. All the other military leaders have been killed, its only the Identification process that is going on.

The war was certainly a problem, with regard to development and tourist visits. Travel warnings and the fear of many to visit, even though it has been always safe for tourists. Now its all over, they have absolutely no military power whatsoever. All the civilians have also been rescued an the resettlement process will begin.

The burden of the war has been finally taken off the shoulders of this paradise island Sri Lanka. Look out the "Small Miracle" is about to be unleashed, with much more to offer tourists.

All the best, and the next time you visit Sri Lanka, its a country without a war.

Hats off to what can be tagged as one of the world best if not the best armed forces. The have militarily defeted the world no 1 terrorist organisation.

Cheers from Sri Lanka !!

OH EMILE!! PRAISE BE TO GOD!! Finally, as you say, your beautiful island and what makes it most beautiful, the PEOPLE, can begin to return to a 'normal' life. I know that there will still be hurdles and pockets of resistance, but it can only get better and I continue to pray to OUR God that the leaders lead with Wisdom and always put the best interests of the people first!

to the other respondents: I know this is a Tourist Site and your answers are for Tourists; but I have not been a tourist there since 1974, as I have much family and incalculable friends; as well, of course, of many friends in the diaspora and my heart has been bleeding for all of them since 1971.

The conventional war is over. Tiger leadership is all gone. There could be a few scattered cadres spread out but would be mopped out sooner or later. Tamil tigers did not silence their guns to let the civilians escape. They did it thinking an outside force would come and save them when they say they are ready to surrender to a third party. It did not happen as they expected. For the suffering they caused to all people in Sri Lanka, sinhala, tamil, muslims and all other ethnic groups, this was a too easy way out for them. May peace prevail in this beautiful island. The kind, friendly and always smiling people of this country deserve it.

sri Lanka is finally free from the rebels and the war is over.... there's no need to be worried about travelling to my country anymore and also, the on going was used never be a major problem for the tourists visiting my country as they were never a dirct target.

Treshi, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Actually dear, de war is over. De people hu live far away have differnt attitudes towards Srilanka, but de fact is; at last it got freedom from de terrorism after 30 years cruel war.
one thin I want to remind you, in de days of war, thousands of tourist visit srilanka every year to c de beauty of de island and had a nice time wit out any troubles or de probs but now we say it is totally released from de terrorist. South is always safe. So no need of worries.
V appreciate ur arrival 2 srilanka.