940017: Time to Stop and Consider?

S. M. Owens posted a photo:

Sri Lanka: Northern Province, Jaffna, the Lake and Clocktower

I concede this is not the best photo I’ve ever taken.
I took it in March 1983, on the first occasion I visited Sri Lanka; unsurprisingly, this is the only time I have visited Jaffna. Locally, a lot has happened since then.
The view is of the clock tower in central Jaffna, with the lake in the foreground. What is not immediately obvious is that there was a demonstration taking place – quite a large gathering, and speeches were being made. If I’m not mistaken, at the time, the road was blocked and it was necessary, and probably wiser, to make a detour.
It was strange that I visited Jaffna, at all. Ostensibly, it was the place to stay for trips to the the island of Delft – for Sri Lanka, about as remote as it was possible to get.
Jaffna seemed to have little to offer the casual visitor, and it didn’t feature on the itinerary of many. The Fort was interesting: imposing; but not as well known as the one in Galle. Later it would feature in the conflict; the siege was widely and vividly reported.
Viewing the photograph retrospectively, I’m all too aware of its context. And, was this the day when the parties involved missed the opportunity to stop and consider the course of action they were embarking upon?
The civil war was a tragedy. It ended in 2009 – more than ten years ago, now. Just before it started, by chance, I witnessed a political demonstration in Jaffna. The photo above is the proof; it has not been seen by many people prior to it appearing here..
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Photo and text:
© S. Owens
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