The most important thing we needed from this part of the trip was to see some actual Tigers doing stuff - something, anything. Everytime we saw DM we asked and even did so with the Information Minister. Nothing, no, no, no the answer was always the same.
We got to DM’s office early and waited for an answer…
And waited…
Three hours later success. We headed out of Killinochchi to another cemetary and waited…. and waited… Not three buses all at once but a truck load - better than nothing.
We moved away from the cemetary to a nearby field and got them to do some stuff. Their group was made of of both men and women but they did not interact at all - in fact kept themselves in two seperate groups at all times.
The obligitary picture of my butt!
Not all had weapons but those that did kept them absolutely spotless and could strip them down in no time at all.
We didn’t have much time with them so filmed as much as possible including a promo for our piece. Well its not everyday you get to meet bonafide ‘terrorists’.
When posing for the group photo again they split into two. We had Daya Master in the middle, who didn’t seem to happy at posing.
Having got our pound of flesh we headed off back to Jaffna, trying to make sure we would be through the checkpoints before curfew at 5.30pm or we would be stuck on the Tamil side. The Tamil Tigers website is here. We couldn’t find any flags for sale but here they are $50 each. Hmmm, not sure though as you have to pay by cheque and your name WILL doubtless go on a list of supporters. Shame as its a nice flag for the collection.
We reached the checkpoint at about 5.00pm. Ashish and Neville hasitly made there way through to the Red Cross post at our end of the 100m stretch of no mans land - trying to arrange permission to film in the middle. Not wanting to be shot we thought it best. A quick series of phone calls through Geneva and Coloumbo and Killinochchi, the answer was Yes. Two takes looking from one side to the other and we were out of there sharpist just as the Red Cross was shutting the gates.
The team photo with the driver, fixer (names forgotten), Ashish, Me and Neville, back in Jaffna waiting for dinner and filling in the time drinking - strange that.
Not even the beer in focus, shows that Neville doesn’t drink much!
