Mannar, in the North of Sri Lanka, was the scene of heavy fighting. The schools in the area function as IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps, because it is not safe for people to live at home. This picture illustrates everyday life in these IDP camps. A young schoolgirl walks to her class passing an internally displaced mother and children asleep on the floor outside a classroom. Another school pupil looks on from inside the classroom.

Michael Hughes studied photography at the College of Building and Printing in Glasgow, then spent the next two years assisting advertising and editorial photographers. Realising that he was looking for something with more spontaneity, he spent the next few years working for press agencies and newspapers, his work being published daily in the national press.

Photographer since 2001, EPUK member since 2007.

See more work by Michael Hughes