Up early the next morning we headed off to Mullativo which was hit by the Tsunami last year. Like most of the devstated areas the immediate coastal region was hit but not too far inland things seemed to be OK. We headed straight to the beach and saw lots of new fishing boats along the way to suppliment those that had been lost.
Most of the boats seemed still awaiting distribution and only those right on the shore actually in use.
Next to the beach was a church that the locals were repairing - it looked a once beautifull building - and given nearly a year had passed not much work had really been done. This must be an indication of how poor the people are and the lack of relief funds available. The rebels and government had sorted a deal out but this was blocked by a band of Buddhist monks.
On the way back we stopped at a Martyrs graveyard - where rebels were buried if killed in the struggle to gain a free Tamil.
There were at least 2000 graves in this cemetary alone.
That night, before heading back to the ‘pub’ and having fried rice and omelet again - our staple meal, every meal so far, we interviewed the ‘Information Minister’ who was once a fighting cadre before and accident where he lost his leg - now wooden. He was smiling the whole time.
His bodyguard, complete with hobnail boots and Browning 9mm wasn’t.
