These photos represent two different trips made to Sri Lanka, the first in January 2020, and the second in March 2023.
The shift in mood before and after the covid pandemic, which hit areas reliant on tourism like the south coast of Sri Lanka particularly hard, was notable.
In the before times a frenetic energy seemed to pervade the air. Everything was for sale or rent, at whatever price you could haggle down to. The people were in your face, almost aggressive in their interactions, both with foreigners and locals alike.
After the pandemic, and the subsequent economic crisis, that aggressiveness had retreated, everything but the colours seemed more muted.
Sri Lanka Is one of those places that can’t catch a break. The brutal civil war scarred generations, the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 brought death and destruction. Terrorist attacks in 2019 demolished the country’s new reputation as a safe destination. Then the global pandemic brought tourism to a standstill. Most recently a currency and agricultural crisis, and subsequent protests that brought down the government.
One wonders if now is the time when Sri Lanka really finds its footing. The elements are all there, the population is young, open and entrepreneurial. One also can't help but wonder what else might happen to bring the country down.