War Must Never Be Glorified

2026-05-19 1227

A Tribute to the War Heroes Who Sacrificed Their Lives to End a History Written in Blood and Tears

Salute to the Political Leadership That Led the Victory Against War

Mourning All Those Who Lost Their Lives in the Conflict, Regardless of Race or Religion

The Statesman Who Put Aside Narrow Party Politics to Support the War Effort

The National Leader Who Chose Principles Over Power

Sri Lanka Bhimanya Karu Jayasuriya Reflects with Deep Emotion

(Sujith Mangala De Silva)

War must never be glorified. There is perhaps no greater foolishness in this world than one human being marking victory or defeat with the blood of another. Yet, for three long decades, Sri Lankans were forced to endure a terrible curse that tore apart the heart of our motherland, consuming national wealth and countless young lives. Today marks the day that bitter chapter was brought to an end. As a nation blessed with wisdom and conscience, we must remember with gratitude the war heroes who sacrificed their lives, and the political leadership that stood firm to bring that bloodstained history to a close.

We have not forgotten the fear and uncertainty that haunted the hearts of our people for thirty years. Successive governments sought different paths to end the bloodshed. Some leaders paid with their lives, while others sacrificed their limbs, flesh, and blood for the nation. Entire villages were reduced to ashes. Innocent Buddhist monks were massacred. What began as an ethnic conflict gradually transformed into ruthless and inhuman terrorism. Reports emerged of innocent children being taken away from their parents and turned into soldiers. How horrifying was that reality? The nation was repeatedly shaken by brutal suicide bomb attacks — one of the deadliest forms of terrorism the world has ever witnessed.

Under the guidance of Ananda College and the Sri Lanka Army, I learned to love my motherland with all my heart. Therefore, witnessing this destruction caused immense pain and sorrow within us. That is why, wherever I stood in the world, the emblem bearing the Sri Lankan national flag upon my chest shone with pride. Whenever I heard the national anthem, no matter where I was, I instinctively rose to my feet and placed my right hand upon my heart. Patriotism flowed deeply through my veins. Ending this cursed war — which destroyed lives and devastated the nation — became a prayer that burned within me every single day.

The closure of the Mavil Aru sluice gate became the historic turning point. At that moment, the political leadership and the armed forces together launched a decisive mission to eradicate terrorism once and for all. However, amid the intense conflict, political instability threatened to bring down the government through a budget defeat. Enormous pressure mounted from many directions. For those of us who genuinely longed for the nation’s true freedom and liberation, the invitation extended by the then President at that decisive hour could not be ignored.

To contribute even a grain of sand to the great wall of victory built for our motherland, we set aside narrow political advantages, titles, and privileges. We joined hands with the government solely to fulfill our duty to the nation. Once the mission was accomplished, we quietly stepped away. One day, when conscience asks its question, the thought that “I fulfilled my duty to my motherland” will forever bring peace and comfort to the soul.

Our war heroes did not fight to destroy any race or to commit genocide. They fought to eradicate the growing menace of brutal terrorism from this land; to protect innocent human lives from senseless death; and to gift future generations a beautiful motherland where they could breathe the air of true freedom instead of inheriting a bloodstained and broken past.

Finally, let us remember equally the brave soldiers who fought and died — or were permanently disabled — for this land, as well as the innocent Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim civilians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks through no fault of their own. Let us also look with compassion upon those helpless children and young people who, through coercion, manipulation, or misguided influence, took up arms and perished in war. Let us remember them too with humanity and understanding. May all souls attain peace..!