In the northern region of Sri Lanka, people often had to travel through the Omanthai checkpoint, which was located near the Puliyankulam area. Omanthai was a major military post, particularly during the civil war. This checkpoint served as the primary crossing point between areas controlled by the government and those held by the LTTE in the north. Traveling from the north to other parts of the country, such as Colombo in the east, was extremely challenging. Strict restrictions were imposed, especially on the transport of goods. Security checks were thorough and invasive, and numerous incidents occurred at the checkpoint, which was an area of constant military conflict. From approximately 2006 to 2009, the area functioned almost like a border between two opposing states—government forces on one side and the LTTE on the other. For those crossing it, the experience often felt like entering a foreign country. The work Puliyankulam: Travel and Border Crossing highlights the pervasive fear endured by people as they navigated checkpoints, borders, and constant suspicion—underscoring how unsafe and alienating life was for them within their own homeland.