"If you want to know the real taste of wild berries, then ask the children", goes an age old saying. That suggests that children never lie. Because they do not know to lie, and even if they attempt to do so, they can never really hide it.

The recent deportation of a news crew belonging to BBC's Channel 4 for defaming the government and security forces through their reporting, laid bare the actions of some sections of the international media to manipulate their viewers purely for commercial purposes. While sensationalising news may be a tool used by some media for their own advantage, to do so in the current Sri Lankan scenario is a despicable act. 

Having suffered for three decades under the subjugation of the LTTE, the IDPs of the North deserve, at the most, basic human respect and understanding. Unfortunately big international media players have cast aside this basic ethic in their trade, and instead chase greater viewership for their own vested interests and by doing so, cast the entire media industry in a negative light. 

See the happiness on the children's faces and the look of contentment on their parents'. It conveys the message that even a thousand words cannot and will not convey. 

Ada Derana, being a responsible independent news provider has taken the view that no Sri Lankan should be subjected to suffering, and have made an effort to seek the 'real story' inside the IDP camps in Vavuniya, that came in for much criticism by the Channel 4 team. Our staff photographer managed to capture these photographs, which speak for themselves...

Courtesy: adaderana.lk