Still Counting the Dead: Survivors of Sri Lanka's Hidden War

Still Counting the Dead documents the final months of Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009 through the accounts of survivors. Former BBC correspondent Frances Harrison combines witness testimony with detailed reporting to reconstruct events that occurred largely without international media presence. The book follows several individuals who lived through the conflict's brutal conclusion, including a teacher, a nun, and government workers. Their personal narratives reveal the day-to-day reality of civilians trapped in the war zone as food, medicine and hope grew scarce. Harrison reconstructs the timeline of military operations and political decisions that shaped the war's ending, drawing on extensive interviews and research. The text moves between intimate survivor stories and broader context about the conflict's impact on Sri Lankan society. The work stands as both a historical record and an examination of how war affects ordinary people caught between opposing forces. Through its structure and methodology, the book raises questions about memory, trauma, and the challenge of documenting conflicts that occur beyond public view.

Readers describe this book as a haunting account of civilian suffering during Sri Lanka's civil war, told through survivor testimonies. Many note it fills crucial gaps in reporting about the conflict's final months. Readers appreciated: - First-hand accounts providing human perspective beyond statistics - Clear explanation of complex politics without taking sides - Documentation of war crimes and human rights violations - Quality of writing and journalism Common criticisms: - Heavy focus on Tamil perspective with limited Sinhalese voices - Graphic descriptions of violence that some found overwhelming - Some readers wanted more historical context Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (98 ratings) Multiple readers noted the book "should be required reading" for understanding modern Sri Lanka. Several reviewers mentioned feeling compelled to take action after reading. A few critics felt the accounts needed more fact-checking, though most praised Harrison's verification methods.

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🌟 Frances Harrison spent 20 years as a foreign correspondent for the BBC, reporting from Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Iran before covering Sri Lanka 📚 The book focuses on the final months of Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009, when an estimated 40,000-70,000 civilians died in what the UN later described as a "grave assault on the entire regime of international law" 🗣️ Harrison interviewed survivors across multiple continents, documenting their stories in secret as many feared reprisals from the Sri Lankan government 🏥 The book reveals how government forces deliberately targeted hospitals in the conflict zone, with 65 recorded attacks on medical facilities between December 2008 and May 2009 🌍 After publication in 2012, the book played a significant role in bringing international attention to Sri Lanka's war crimes and helped spark calls for an independent investigation