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From terror hotspot to tourism hotspot

19 Aug 2019

By Farook Shihan in Kalmunai It was the scene of a fierce battle between terrorists and the security forces on 26 April. The house in Sainthamaruthu in which 15 people including terrorists were killed a few days after the Easter Sunday attacks, has now become a place for sightseeing. Last week, several people visited the house and took photographs of the damage caused by an explosion and gunshots. On the night of 26 April this year, a few days after suicide bombers attacked three hotels and three churches in Colombo, Negombo, and Batticaloa, residents of Sainthamaruthu alerted the Police over the suspicious behaviour of people in one house. On being alerted, the Police approached the house and there was a loud explosion followed by gunfire. A suicide bomber in the house triggered his bomb to evade arrest while two others had engaged in a gunfight with the security forces. The next day, 15 bodies, including that of six children, were found in the house. Those killed included relatives of Zahran Hashim, the mastermind of the Easter Sunday attacks and one of the suicide bombers. Hashim’s wife and child were found alive in the house and were admitted to hospital under police care. The Police found explosive material and other items in the house believed to have been kept to be used to carry out terror-related activities after the Easter Sunday attacks. However, the plans of the terrorists were cut short after the area residents alerted the Police. The house remained closed and under police and military security as investigations continued. However, last week, people from the town and outside began visiting the house, including friends and relatives of the security forces. Making a quick buck Visitors from outside Sainthamaruthu seeking information on the house are approached by local tour guides who take them around the area in exchange for a fee, area residents said. Some people also visit the neighbours of the Sainthamaruthu house and seek firsthand information on the incidents which occurred on 26 April. The Sainthamaruthu house, which had been occupied on rent by the terrorists, has nothing left inside – only the carnage of that night is on display on the roof and the walls. A small crater caused by the suicide bombing can be seen inside while the roof and walls are in tatters. VIP visitors Meanwhile, last week, some VIPs believed to be diplomats had also arrived at the location in an attempt to look at the house. Local journalists had been alerted about the VIPs and were at hand to take photographs. However, the VIP convoy, on seeing the journalists, had made a u-turn and left the area without inspecting the house. Some residents of the area are uncomfortable with people arriving at the location for sightseeing. Sainthamaruthu is attempting to recover and move on and there are concerns that the house used by the terrorists will only be a dark reminder of what happened on 26 April.

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