Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

Sri Lanka`s small community of people of African origin, the Kaffirs, face a daily struggle to maintain their families, retain jobs and sustain a dying culture, reports Feizal Samath, Pix by J. Weerasekera

PUTTALAM -- At the Deyata Kirula exhibition in Colombo early this year, visitors peered curiously at a group of Africans sitting in a stall.

They thought we were foreigners, laughs 51-year-old Peter Louis, a Sri Lankan of African origin whose ancestors came from Mozambique. Asked by inquisitive visitors whether they could speak a language, Louis jokingly put his tongue out and gestured with his hands to indicate `No` but later spoke perfect Sinhala much to their surprise.

* HE AIN`T HEAVY, HE`S MY BROTHER - The Hollies * (1969)

The road is long with a many of winding turn
That leads us to who knows where, who knows where
But I`m strong, strong enough to carry him
He ain`t heavy, he`s my brother

So long we go, his welfare is my concern
No burdon is he to bear, we`ll get there
For I know he would not encumber me
He ain`t heavy, he`s my brother

If I`m leaning at all, am I leaning with sadness

An innocent victim

A child injured in the shooting incident in Mullaitivu today is seen here being placed on a stretcher at the Anuradhapura hospital to be admitted for treatment. At least 19 civilians were shot dead allegedly by the LTTE as they attempted to flee to safety.

Pic by Athula Bandara