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Sri Lanka: No let up for the Tamils

The Sri Lankan government, in both its actions and public declarations, seems to have taken a leaf out of the book of the Israelis. Harsh treatment of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and then peddle PR to the world which doesn't remotely equate to the truth.

With what are said to be some 280,000 Tamils detained in rudimentary camps - in appalling conditions - The Guardian reports:

"The camp, say former inhabitants, is packed, with two or three families sharing a tent or tin shack. There are complaints of stinking, overflowing toilets, water shortages and inadequate healthcare. Journalists are rarely given access and those inside Manik Farm are not allowed to cross its fortified perimeter. The government says it has to use extreme measures because hiding in the civilian population are LTTE soldiers.

Speaking on a phone that had been smuggled into the camp, one civilian being held in Manik Farm, who did not want to be named, said two families had "been taken away and not seen again after saying some wrong things" to a reporter last month.

"People are scared to tell anyone of the problems we are facing. But it is a prison here. There are not enough health facilities for the problems in the camp and we don't have enough water."

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