A lot had happened since Nihal Fernando's first visit. Roads had been cut. Chena farmers had torched the land. People had built houses and boutiques. Then came years of strife. People who lived here in the borderlands became targets and many abandoned their homes. Those who stayed, curtailed daylight activities. At night they hid in the jungle. When the Studio Times team visited in June 2001 the ceasefire had just been declared. Emerging from bunkers, people were hesitantly beginning to live life again. Small huts were being constructed, grasslands were being cut and people were gathering at the boutique once more to linger over a chew of betel.