Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Thursday, 22 January 2026 05:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Amira Cader
‘The Heritage of the Homeland Trampled by a Superpower,’ authored by former Minister Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, was launched recently at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI), Colombo, drawing diplomats, academics, politicians, journalists, and civil society activists committed to the Palestinian cause.
The publication brings together a selection of speeches and reflections delivered by Bakeer Markar over several decades, tracing the historical roots of the Palestinian struggle and situating it within a broader global resistance to colonialism, the apartheid, and occupation. The book underscores Palestine as one of the longest-running moral and political struggles of the modern era.
Delivering opening remarks at the event, Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine Co-Chairman Ameen Izzadeen highlighted Sri Lanka’s longstanding and support for Palestine, noting that successive Governments and political traditions in the country have consistently aligned with global public opinion on the issue of Palestinian self-determination.
Palestinian Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Ihab M. Khalil stressed that the book is not a work of religious advocacy but a principled defence of humanity, ethics, and justice, positioning Palestine as a cause that resonates with all who uphold human rights and international humanitarian norms.
“At least 72,000 innocent civilians have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since the 7 October 2025 war. While the ceasefire declared last year continues to hold, the humanitarian crisis confronting Palestinian civilians shows no sign of easing,” he noted.
The launch event, titled ‘Echoes of Palestine,’ was organised by the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine in collaboration with the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The first copy of the book was formally handed over to Ambassador Khalil and Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka Dr. Rizvie Salih by Bakeer Markar.
In his remarks, Bakeer Markar reaffirmed that foreign policy is ultimately a reflection of a nation’s values, adding that silence in the face of injustice amounts to complicity. He emphasised the responsibility of the international community to resist normalising occupation, collective punishment, and violence against civilians.
President’s Counsel and former Bar Association of Sri Lanka President Upul Jayasuriya reflected on the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, the erosion of international law, and the urgent need for global institutions to act decisively to protect civilian lives.
Professor of Paediatrics and International Relations Scholar Harendra de Silva said: “The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza has long-term psychological and social consequences that the world cannot afford to ignore, stressing that protecting children in conflict zones is not optional, it is a fundamental obligation of humanity.”
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya said: “Humanitarian principles cannot be applied selectively and the continued suffering of Palestinian civilians demands urgent global attention.”
Former diplomat Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka warned that “the inability of global institutions to prevent mass civilian suffering sets a dangerous precedent for the future of international order.”
He also noted that the current administration’s decision to send Sri Lankan journalists to Israel for training was inappropriate and inconsistent, stressing that Sri Lanka has historically stood as a steadfast friend of Palestine and should remain aligned with that longstanding position.
‘The Heritage of the Homeland Trampled by a Superpower’ is presented as both a historical record and a moral appeal, capturing Sri Lanka’s enduring solidarity with Palestine while calling on readers to remain vigilant, informed, and engaged in the pursuit of justice.
- Pix by Shehan Gunasekera
