John Barr, UnitingWorld

The new state-of-the art stadium in Hambantota, southern Sri Lanka, first came to the world’s attention during the World Cup Cricket earlier this year. It is now a key venue in Sri Lanka’s bid to stage the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Hambantota is also the home town of Sri Lanka’s president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is currently riding a crest of popularity after his defeat of the Tamil Tigers in May 2009. Rajapaksa’s catch cry is for a peaceful, stable, prosperous Sri Lanka and Hambantota is the emerging model.

But there is another side to Sri Lanka. At the other end of the country in the north, minority ethnic Tamil communities are struggling to survive. Here, 26 years of civil war and a recent military campaign has left tens of thousands dead and many more injured and traumatised. The story is one of death and loss as many ethnic Tamils continue to be humiliated in the wake of the Sinhalese victory.

A recent United Nations-sponsored report indicates there are grounds for an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka’s north.  Both the Sri Lankan military and the Tamil Tigers have much to answer for.  Sri Lanka’s government deny accusations made against them.

Meanwhile, the current President has pushed constitutional changes through the parliament giving him the option of staying in power beyond the previous six year limit. Freedom of the press in Sri Lanka is severely restricted and dissent is suppressed.

Tragically, the world stood by in silence as the Tamil community suffered horrendous casualties. Extra-judicial killings and disappearances continue to be met with a deathly silence as most nations look the other way. Stability and prosperity for Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese majority is the outcome. But at what cost to Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority?     

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with great potential. Importantly, Australia’s bond with Sri Lanka is enhanced through the wonderful game of cricket. But things are not right in Sri Lanka. In the game of cricket we talk a lot about “fair play”.  In Sri Lanka things are far from being “fair”. The real story has yet to be told. Sri Lanka’s Tamil community are still waiting. The rest of the world needs to take a better look.    

New Times will be taking a more in-depth look at the Sri Lankan war in our September issue, which focuses on Ethics.