1988 Under the Red Star

Home Coming

Dayani's family have one elder brother, one younger brother, 3 elder sisters and mom. Eldest sister is working in colombo municipal council as senior bookkeeper, her name is kumari and she is in her mid 40's and unmarried, second to line is karunarathna he is in his 40's and he is a store keeper in educational department colombo he is also unmarried. Both of them are coming home from office.

"I can't believe how bad things have gotten in the country. It's not safe to travel to work anymore." - Kumari, worried about the danger of traveling in the midst of the conflict

"I know, but we can't just stop working. We have to support our family." - Karunarathna, determined to keep going despite the risks

"I just wish we could do more to help. It feels so helpless just going to work every day." - Kumari, feeling frustrated and powerless in the face of the conflict

"We have to be careful. If we get caught up in the violence, we won't be able to help anyone." - Karunarathna, warning Kumari to stay out of danger

"I know, but it's hard to just sit by and do nothing. I feel like I have to do something to make a difference." - Kumari, struggling with feelings of helplessness

"I know how you feel. But we have to be smart about how we help. If we're not careful, we could end up making things worse." - Karunarathna, urging Kumari to be strategic in her efforts to make a difference.

3rd one is chandrani one year older than sumana and she is house wife, she is married to business men call piyasena and his business is buying coconutin his area and selling them in faraway jaffna town. They are living 1km away from mother's home. But there two daughters (eldest one is 16 years old navoda and younger one is 10 year old nadeeka) live with mother's home for easy travel to school.

Both of them are traveling to mother's home to visit thire daughters and welcome dayani and her husband.

"I can't believe how bad things have gotten in the country. It's not safe to travel to Jaffna anymore." - Piyasena, worried about the danger of traveling in the midst of the conflict

"I know, but we have to keep the business going. If we don't, how will we support our family?" - Chandrani, determined to keep going despite the risks

"I just wish our daughters didn't have to live with your mother. It's not safe for them to be traveling to school either." - Piyasena, worried about the safety of his daughters

"I know, but it's for the best. At least this way they can focus on their studies without worrying about the danger." - Chandrani, trying to reassure Piyasena

"I just hope they stay safe. It's not fair that they have to grow up in such a dangerous environment." - Piyasena, feeling frustrated and powerless in the face of the conflict

"We have to be strong for them. They're counting on us to keep them safe." - Chandrani, urging Piyasena to stay strong for their daughters.

4 th in line is sumana and she is in her late 30's and she also unmarried. She is not doing any job just taking care chandrani's two daughters, sunil and dayani's 4 years old son isuru.

Both chandrani and husband arrived mother's home. Sumana looking at the road from veranda.

"I can't believe how bad things have gotten in the country. It's not safe for the kids to go outside anymore." - Sumana, worried about the danger of the conflict

"I know, but we can't just keep them cooped up all the time. They need to be able to play and explore." - Chandrani, trying to balance the need for safety with the need for the children to have a normal childhood

"I'm just worried about their safety. What if something happens to them?" - Sumana, feeling anxious about the risks of letting the children go outside

"We have to trust that they'll be okay. We can't protect them from everything." - Chandrani, trying to reassure Sumana