COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The civil war lasted 26 years. It cost the lives of an estimated 100,000 people and devastated the north and east of the island nation. In 2009, the government in Colombo made one last push against the Tamil Tigers rebel group.

The United Nations accuses both sides in the conflict of perpetrating war crimes, killing innocent civilians inside safe zones. This is the story of war widows and how the new government in Colombo seeks to make national reconciliation a priority. This story was shared on PRX March 15, 2016.