Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields

Synopsis

Jon Snow presents a forensic investigation into the final weeks of the quarter-century-long civil war between the government of Sri Lanka and the secessionist rebels, the Tamil Tigers. With disturbing and distressing descriptions and film of executions, atrocities and the shelling of civilians the programme features devastating new video evidence of war crimes - some of the most horrific footage Channel 4 has ever broadcast. Captured on mobile phones, both by Tamils under attack and government soldiers as war trophies, the disturbing footage shows: the extra-judicial executions of prisoners; the aftermath of targeted shelling of civilian camps; and dead female Tamil fighters who appear to have been raped or sexually assaulted, abused and murdered.

The film was made and broadcast as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon faceed growing criticism for refusing to launch an investigation into ‘credible allegations’ that Sri Lankan forces committed war crimes during the closing weeks of the bloody conflict with the Tamil Tigers. This film provides powerful evidence to lend new urgency to the panel’s call for an international inquiry to be mounted, including harrowing interviews with eye-witnesses, new photographic stills, official Sri Lankan army video footage, and satellite imagery. Also examined in the film are some of the horrific atrocities carried out by the Tamil Tigers, who used civilians as human shields. (50 minutes)

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of production

2011

Notes

Broadcast on Channel 4 on 14/6/2011

Subjects

Geography; History; Politics & government

Keywords

civil war; massacres; Sri Lanka; war crimes; political geography; political history; Tamil Tigers

Online availability

URI

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sri-lankas-killing-fields/4od#3305298

Price

free

Delivery

Streamed

Credits

Contributor

Jon Snow

Sponsor

Name

Channel 4

Distributor

Name

4OD

Web

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od External site opens in new window