War is never something that should be glorified. There can be no greater foolishness than one human being marking victory or defeat through the blood of another. However, as Sri Lankans, we were forced to endure a terrible curse that tore through the heart of our motherland for three decades, consuming national wealth and countless young lives. Monday (18) marked the Day that that painful chapter came to an end. As a nation with conscience and clarity, we must remember with gratitude the brave soldiers and the political leadership of that time who sacrificed everything to bring an end to that history written in blood and tears.
We have not forgotten the people who lived for 30 years under the shadow of death, struggling through uncertain tomorrows. Different Governments that came to power searched for various paths to stop the bloodshed. Some leaders had to pay with their lives in that effort. Others sacrificed their eyes, limbs, flesh, and blood for this land. Entire villages were reduced to ashes, and even innocent members of the Buddhist clergy became victims of brutal massacres. Initially begun with the appearance of an ethnic conflict, the war gradually transformed into a merciless and barbaric form of violence devoid of humanity.
There were reports of innocent children being taken away from their parents and turned into soldiers. How horrifying was that? The entire country was repeatedly shaken by brutal suicide bomb attacks, one of the cruellest methods of warfare witnessed anywhere in the world.
Both at Ananda College and during my time in the Army, I was taught to love my motherland as I would love my own life. That is why witnessing all this destruction caused such deep pain and shock within us. No matter which country or prestigious position that we stood in around the world, the emblem bearing the Sri Lankan national flag on our chest shone with pride. Patriotism flowed through our veins to such an extent that whenever we heard the national anthem anywhere in the world, we instinctively stood up and placed our right hand over our heart. Ending this cursed war that destroyed lives and drained the nation’s wealth became a daily prayer in our hearts.
The closure of the Mavil Aru sluice gate became the historic turning point that set this process in motion. At that time, the political leadership and the Armed Forces together launched a major operation to bring terrorism to an end. However, amidst the fighting, political instability threatened to bring down the Government after signs emerged that it could lose the Budget vote. Pressure was mounting from various sides. For those of us who genuinely wished for the nation’s freedom and liberation, the invitation extended by the then President at that critical moment could not be ignored.
In order to become even a grain of sand in the great wall of victory built for the motherland, we set aside narrow party politics, personal status, and political advantage. We simply fulfilled our duty alongside the Government. Once that responsibility was completed, we quietly stepped away once again. One day, when my conscience questions me, the thought that “I fulfilled my duty towards my motherland at that moment” will forever bring peace and comfort to my soul.
Our war heroes did not fight to destroy any race or carry out genocide. They fought to eradicate the growing menace of brutal terrorism from this land; to protect innocent human lives that were being lost day after day, and to ensure that future generations would inherit a beautiful motherland where they could breathe in true freedom instead of living under the shadow of a bloodstained and broken past.
Finally, let us remember equally the heroic soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives for this land, those who became disabled in battle, and the innocent Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim civilians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks despite having committed no wrong.
At the same time, let us also look with humanity and compassion towards those helpless children and young people who, due to coercion, manipulation, pressure, or misguided influences, took up arms and died in the conflict.
The author is a former Speaker of Parliament, and the incumbent Leader of the National Movement for Social Justice organisation
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication