Karu : The Political Turning Point in Sri Lanka’s War History

By Sujith Mangala de Silva

Many political analysts believe that the successful conclusion of Sri Lanka’s nearly three-decade-long war against LTTE terrorism was the result of the combined efforts of political leadership, military strategy, and state administration working in coordination.

Within that context, the decision by Karu Jayasuriya, then Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP), and 17 UNP Members of Parliament to join the government in 2007 is widely regarded as a significant political turning point in Sri Lanka’s war history.

The Political Background

Following the 2005 presidential election, the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not enjoy a stable parliamentary majority. As a result, the administration faced continuous political challenges in implementing its security and military policies.

At the time, the LTTE continued to maintain considerable military strength in both the Northern and Eastern Provinces, while signs of renewed escalation in the conflict were becoming increasingly evident.

Against this backdrop, many political commentators argue that the decision by Karu Jayasuriya and a group of UNP parliamentarians to join the government provided the parliamentary stability necessary for the administration to pursue its national security agenda. Supporters of the move continue to praise it as a decision made in the interest of the country and the nation, aimed at bringing the war to an end.

The Political Strength Gained by the Government

One of the most significant outcomes of this political decision was enhanced parliamentary stability.

Political stability is a critical requirement for any nation engaged in a major military conflict. The support of Karu Jayasuriya and the 17 parliamentarians who joined the government made it easier for the administration to secure budget approvals, authorize defense expenditure, and implement the policies required to sustain military operations.

The move also conveyed a powerful message of national unity.

As one of the most prominent opposition figures at the time, Karu Jayasuriya’s decision to support the government sent an important signal both to the LTTE and to the international community: that there was a degree of political consensus among major parties regarding the need to defeat terrorism.

Sustaining the War Effort

Many political and military analysts argue that Karu Jayasuriya’s historic decision helped ensure uninterrupted political support for military operations.

Between 2007 and 2009, Sri Lankan security forces conducted major campaigns to recapture the Eastern Province and subsequently the Northern Province. Had the government become politically unstable during that period, maintaining the continuity of these military operations could have proven far more difficult.

Karu Jayasuriya’s Role

Karu Jayasuriya has long been recognized as a moderate, democratic politician known for making decisions based on national interests rather than partisan considerations.

When explaining his decision to join the government, he stated that the country’s security and national aspirations should be placed above party politics.

For this reason, his supporters continue to describe the move as a national decision that transcended conventional political divisions.

Many of them argue that the freedom enjoyed by Sri Lankan citizens today—living without the fear and uncertainty that characterized the years of conflict—owes something to the political support he provided during that critical period.

Criticism and Alternative Perspectives

Not everyone agrees with this interpretation.

Certain factions within the United National Party criticized Karu Jayasuriya’s decision as a political defection, arguing that the credit for ending the war should not be attributed to a single individual or political group.

Many historians maintain that victory in the conflict was made possible through the combined contributions of political leadership, military sacrifice, intelligence operations, public service support, international diplomatic efforts, and the backing of the Sri Lankan people.

A Balanced Conclusion

From a balanced political perspective, the decision by Karu Jayasuriya and the 17 UNP parliamentarians to join the government can be regarded as an important factor that strengthened the political stability required to bring the conflict with the LTTE to an end.

Their support increased the parliamentary strength of the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration and reinforced the political foundation necessary to sustain military operations.

However, it would be more accurate—and more widely accepted—to view the final victory not as the achievement of a single individual or political faction, but as the result of a collective national effort involving political leadership, military commitment, state institutions, diplomatic engagement, and the support of the Sri Lankan people.

The end of the war remains one of the most significant chapters in Sri Lanka’s modern history, shaped by the contributions of many actors working toward a common objective.