I implore you, the reader, to entertain this story so that you may understand the grave situation with which we are currently presented.  The tiger population of Sri Lanka is suffering.  Persecuted by poachers, they have been removed from and denied their land so that they may no longer exist peacefully in the region they consider home.  These creatures serve as a national symbol for Sri Lanka, with their vibrant colors and passionate nature.  The poachers have cruelly sought out and eradicated as much of the indigenous tiger population as their ability would allow, and have considered these naturally docile animals no more than an infestation:  a surface nuisance.  Just like the rest of us, Sri Lanka is the home for these tigers and it is and has been as much their land as much as the rest of ours.  I call on the population of Sri Lanka to consider the poachers’ oppression of this fragile species as an attack not only on this endangered species but an attack on the identity and well-being of our state.  I pose you the question:  what next?  If these unpoliced poachers are not held accountable for these unjust and immoral actions, what is to stop them from moving on to the next species?  They will continue to dilute the national identity, starting with our tiger population.  I ask that you all look to these poachers in Colombo, stand up for what is right, and save not only our tiger population, but the future of Sri Lanka.  Thank you all.

Help Received: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Wikipedia page for contextual information on the conflict