Tales from the Commonwealth

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The Maldives, Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Mauritius are popular holiday destinations for wealthy tourists.

In this four part series, Robin White visits these four island nations, to find out what is life is really like for people who live there.

Part Two - Sri Lanka, The Endless Civil War

Nestling off the southern tip of India, the tropical island of Sri Lanka has beguiled travellers for centuries with its palm-fringed beaches, diverse landscapes and historical monuments.

But for the last 20 years, the country has been torn apart by civil war.

It is a conflict that has pitted the majority Buddhist Sinhalese against Tamils who are largely Hindu.

In the second part of this series, Robin White travels to the country's capital Colombo, to see how people are coping with the violence.

Beginning of the end

A ceasefire was signed in 2002, but it was undermined by regular clashes between government troops and Tamil rebels, and in January 2008 it expired.

The government claims that a military victory is in sight but suicide bombers regularly strike civilian targets in the capital, Colombo, which is now ringed by thousands of security checkpoints.

Everyone is stopped and searched many times everyday.

Many hotels were refurbished during the ceasefire but the only tourists who dare to come now, are local.

Although violence and uncertainty is part of everyday life, cricket, literature and travel are just some of the things that ordinary Sri Lankans enjoy.

Political solution

Robin travels through the country meeting the various political factions to find out what they think about the current climate.

He visits the government department that has been specifically set up to deal with the peace process.

Would a federal system work or should Tamil Tigers be given their own state?

Or, are the Tigers simply a terrorist organisation that can only be defeated through military action.

Join Robin on his journey as he investigates the underlying issues behind Sri Lanka's racial tensions.