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From Our Own Correspondent: An emotional return to the Chagos Islands

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19/02/2022 GMT

An emotional return to the Chagos Islands

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, An emotional return to the Chagos Islands

Islanders return to Chagos. Plus tales of Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Swedish names.

Andrew Harding reports from the Chagos archipelago; the plight of Syrian refugees in Lebanon; Sri Lanka’s port development; Swedish names.

When a boat carrying a group of Chagos Islanders landed on their homeland this week, it represented return after half a century of exile. The Islands were once part of British-run Mauritius, and in 1972, Britain removed the inhabitants, so it could hand one of the islands over to the United States, to build a military base. The move has been condemned by the International Court of Justice, and by the United Nations, but the UK has so far refused to allow the Islanders back. This week, they took matters into their own hands, as part of a Mauritian contingent they sailed back to the place they once called home.  Andrew Harding was on board.

Lebanon hosts more than a million Syrian refugees, mostly living in very basic accommodation. Now the country has been hit by some extremely cold weather, while in the midst of an economic crisis. That has left refugees exposed to the elements, with families unable to cook, children falling ill, and little sign of help on its way. Leila Molana-Allen found many in despair.

China has been generous to Sri Lanka lately, paying for roads, other transport infrastructure, and retail developments. Some of these have been outright gifts, some were funded by loans, but others were more of a swap, provided in return for access to land. One of the biggest developments is in the harbour area of Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, where a huge retail, residential, and business area is under way. Anbarasan Ethirajan was given a tour, and found himself asking whether it was what the people of Sri Lanka really needed.

Swedish born Matilda Welin ponders the many ways in which people around the world pronounce her name.  Could a different pronunciation bring out a different side of her personality?  

Producer:  Diane Richardson
Editor: Emma Close

(Image: Passengers celebrate on board a boat sent by the government of Mauritius to the disputed Chagos archipelago. Credit: BBC)

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