Graft and renewed fighting has blocked relief to Sri Lanka's tsunami survivors with less than a fifth of money pledged properly accounted for three years later, according to watchdogs. Sri Lanka's government claims success in rebuilding homes destroyed by the disaster, but international agencies say big problems remain. Huge amounts of foreign cash that poured in did not reach its intended destination. While the authorities claim they built more houses than required, many people still live in makeshift dwellings for reasons ranging from poor building standards to fighting in areas where the...
Every time 16-year-old Suresh Subramanium steps out of his home in Sri Lanka's heavily-guarded capital, his father says a silent prayer for his son's safe return. The Subramaniums are ethnic Tamils, and run a grocery store in Colombo. They have lived in the city all their lives, and have little connection to the north and east where government troops are fighting Tamil Tigers. But they say life for ordinary Tamils in Colombo is getting worse. "I can't step out of the house without my identity card and police papers. If I don't have them, I will be detained," Suresh said. Tamils, whose...
Sri Lanka says $4.5 billion worth of overseas aid has been pledged despite donor disquiet over the escalating war. Colombo expects a total of $9 billion in foriegn over the next three years.
'We are not attracting world-class companies, but people to open Chinese restaurants, massage parlours and karaoke clubs'