Thousands of civilians, troops and Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed since a 2002 truce gave way to renewed civil war.
Hundreds of thousands uprooted
Thousands of child soldiers recruited
At least 1 million mines laid
The United Nations estimates more than 500,000 people are displaced across the island due to war past and present and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Violence first erupted in 1983. Since then, some 70,000 people have been killed in fighting between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels who want an independent state in the north and east of the island.
Landmines and explosive debris have left large areas uninhabitable. The fighting has also laid waste to agricultural land, contributing to child malnutrition. One of the biggest tragedies has been the rebels' use of child soldiers, some as young as nine.
The conflict has its roots in ethnic tension between the Buddhist Sinhalese majority and the mainly Hindu Tamil minority who accuse the government of discrimination.
A ceasefire was agreed in 2002 and the rebels dropped their demand for an independent state, settling for regional autonomy.
But violence has surged since the end of 2005 and the Tigers have reverted to their original demand for all-out independence. The government declared the truce dead at the beginning of 2008.
key facts
REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE (IDPs)
Total IDPs in 2006
650,000 (Source: Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre 2007)
Total refugees abroad 2006
116,966 (Source: UNHCR)
MALNUTRITION
Percentage of underweight under-fives 1996-2005
29 (UNICEF 2007 report)
Percentage of undernourished population 2002-2004
22 (UN Food and Agriculture Organisation 2006)
CHILD SOLDIERS
Recruitment
3,883 cases reported from Feb 2002-2005 to UNICEF, which believes the actual figure is more than three times higher.
LANDMINES
Casualties in 2006
64, of which 27 killed and 37 injured (See Landmine Monitor 2007 report)
Hundreds of thousands uprooted
Thousands of child soldiers recruited
At least 1 million mines laid
The United Nations estimates more than 500,000 people are displaced across the island due to war past and present and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Violence first erupted in 1983. Since then, some 70,000 people have been killed in fighting between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels who want an independent state in the north and east of the island.
Landmines and explosive debris have left large areas uninhabitable. The fighting has also laid waste to agricultural land, contributing to child malnutrition. One of the biggest tragedies has been the rebels' use of child soldiers, some as young as nine.
The conflict has its roots in ethnic tension between the Buddhist Sinhalese majority and the mainly Hindu Tamil minority who accuse the government of discrimination.
A ceasefire was agreed in 2002 and the rebels dropped their demand for an independent state, settling for regional autonomy.
But violence has surged since the end of 2005 and the Tigers have reverted to their original demand for all-out independence. The government declared the truce dead at the beginning of 2008.
key facts
REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE (IDPs)
Total IDPs in 2006
650,000 (Source: Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre 2007)
Total refugees abroad 2006
116,966 (Source: UNHCR)
MALNUTRITION
Percentage of underweight under-fives 1996-2005
29 (UNICEF 2007 report)
Percentage of undernourished population 2002-2004
22 (UN Food and Agriculture Organisation 2006)
CHILD SOLDIERS
Recruitment
3,883 cases reported from Feb 2002-2005 to UNICEF, which believes the actual figure is more than three times higher.
LANDMINES
Casualties in 2006
64, of which 27 killed and 37 injured (See Landmine Monitor 2007 report)
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