{"id":141997,"date":"2024-05-18T16:23:44","date_gmt":"2024-05-18T23:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=141997"},"modified":"2024-05-18T16:23:44","modified_gmt":"2024-05-18T23:23:44","slug":"honoring-our-heroes-the-end-of-war-in-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2024\/05\/18\/honoring-our-heroes-the-end-of-war-in-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Honoring Our Heroes: The End of War in Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"

Palitha Ariyarathna <\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
\"Sl<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By Palitha Ariyarathna<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the sun<\/a> dipped below the horizon on that historic day\u2014May 18, 2009\u2014the world witnessed a momentous event.  Sri Lanka<\/a>\u2019s war<\/a> against terror had reached its conclusion. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil<\/a> Eelam<\/a> (LTTE<\/a>), a ruthless terrorist organization, had plagued our land<\/a> for far too long. Sleepless nights, fear, and uncertainty had gripped our nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then, our heroes emerged\u2014the brave souls who stood tall against the tide of terror. Their strength was not just physical; it was a beacon of hope that inspired everyone, from the bustling streets of  Colombo<\/a> to the quiet villages in the north. They fought not only for themselves but for all of us<\/a>. Their courage transcended borders, uniting hearts across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sacrifices<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These heroes\u2014our brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters\u2014made unimaginable sacrifices. They scarified their youth, their dreams, and, in some cases, their lives. Their families bore the weight of uncertainty, praying for their safe return. Yet, they pressed forward, fueled by an unwavering commitment to our beloved Mother<\/a> Lanka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Triumph of Humanity<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humanity powered their wishes. The blessings of the triple gems\u2014Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha\u2014guided their path. They weren\u2019t just soldiers; they were embodiments of compassion, resilience, and unwavering determination. Their actions spoke louder than any political rhetoric or international debate. They proved that terrorism could be defeated, that peace was attainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our True Protectors<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the present and the future, we honor them. They are our guides, our guardians. Their legacy extends beyond the battlefield. They taught us what true peace meant\u2014beyond the absence of gunfire, beyond territorial boundaries. It\u2019s the peace that allows children to play freely, farmers to till their fields, and families to rebuild shattered lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Precious Gift<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We remember their faces\u2014the sweat-soaked brows, the determined eyes. They are our angels, our true protectors. Their sacrifices echo through time<\/a>, reminding us that freedom isn\u2019t free. It\u2019s a precious gift, earned through blood, sweat, and tears. Our good karma brought them to us\u2014the heroes who changed the course of our history<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Grateful Nation<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To our valiant soldiers, sailors, airmen, and police officers, we say: Thank you. Thank you for standing firm when the world doubted. Thank you for showing us that courage knows no bounds. Thank you for defeating LTTE, not just with weapons but with unwavering resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universal Principles for Peace<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we reflect on their heroism, let us also consider universal principles that can guide us toward lasting peace:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dignity and Respect<\/strong>: Root peacemaking efforts in a moral compass that promotes trust<\/a> and respect among nations. Treat all actors in peace processes with fairness and equality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solidarity<\/strong>: Recognize that success in peacebuilding depends on the contributions of each actor. Share burdens, risks, and resources. Conflict affects the global community, transcending racial, religious, and ethnic barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humility<\/strong>: Strive to be empathetic and respectful. International actors should enable\u2014not lead\u2014peace processes. They are midwives, not architects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhancing Legitimacy<\/strong>: Establish long-term legitimacy for processes, institutions, powerholders, and laws governing peace. Legitimacy is essential for sustainable peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accountable Security<\/strong>: Ensure security institutions provide safety as a public good, respect human<\/a> rights, and follow agreed principles governing the use of force. Peace cannot exist without security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respect Sovereignty<\/strong>: Every nation has the right<\/a> to govern itself without external interference. Respecting sovereignty means acknowledging the independence and self-determination of each country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-Aggression<\/strong>: Leaders should commit to peaceful coexistence and avoid aggressive actions that violate the territorial integrity of other nations. Conquering or forcibly subjugating free countries undermines global stability and trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May their names echo through generations. May their sacrifices inspire us to build a better  Sri Lanka<\/a>\u2014a land where cooperation triumphs over conflict, and the legacy of our heroes lives on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let\u2019s interpolate the following heartfelt poem<\/a> that I wrote for the war heroes in Sri Lanka<\/a>. The war\u2019s end unexpectedly happened on the same day as I wished\u2014it was a natural occurrence after many years of anticipation. Let\u2019s take a closer look at these poems<\/a>. Keep good wishes always, and nature will support you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our heroes and end of war<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your strength was seen by everyone in the world, It gave courage to all, including me. The nasty LTTE, a terrorist force that brought fear and fright, Many sleepless nights endured. But it has now gone away, on May 18, 2009 (2553\/Vesak\/18, BE), Just as I had wished before\u2014my dream came true. You sacrificed your <\/em>life<\/a><\/em> for us to live happily, The reality is\u2014you\u2019re a survivor, a warrior, fighting for freedom and life. Your wishes powered by humanity, Blessed by the triple <\/em>gems<\/a><\/em>. You\u2019re our heroes, and we say it with pride, You\u2019re our guide. In the present and the future, To defeat terrorism worldwide. Grateful to walk by your side, learning the true meaning of peace. Thank you for showing us reality, morality, intelligence, To angels, demons, NGOs, governments, top politicians, And challenging those who said we couldn\u2019t stop terrorism and grant freedom. I remember\u2026 As children, we fantasized about being Superman, Captain, Major, Diyasena, and Konappu Bandara, Even the <\/em>Karate<\/a><\/em> Kid. But what you\u2019ve accomplished surpasses it all, We remember everything you\u2019ve been through, Every sacrifice you\u2019ve made, Every <\/em>hero<\/a><\/em> in the past, present, and future. They are our angels, our true protectors. You\u2019re a precious gift, bestowed upon us by good karma. You, our hero\u2026 Always showing us the battle against LTTE, cancer, mongolism, Murder, and the war that was won, Because of combatants like you. I am free now\u2026 I am alive now\u2026 Thankful and honored for everything you did to protect our Mother Lanka\u2014Helabima.\u201d<\/em>-(2009-05-18 Midnight)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In essence, world leaders must uphold these principles to foster a world where nations thrive without fear of invasion or domination.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Palitha Ariyarathna By Palitha Ariyarathna As the sun dipped below the horizon on that historic day\u2014May 18, 2009\u2014the world witnessed a momentous event.  Sri Lanka\u2019s war against terror had reached its conclusion. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a ruthless terrorist organization, had plagued our land for far too long. Sleepless nights, fear, and uncertainty had gripped our nation. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[119],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-119"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141997"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141997\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}