President calls for unity, peace and reconciliation at 16th War Heroes’ Commemoration

President Anura Kumara Disanayake speaks at the 16th War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony held at the War Heroes’ Memorial in Battaramulla

• Says remembrance must lead to promise of no more conflict in Sri Lanka
• Describes memorial as symbol of love, unity and brotherhood
• Pays tribute to fallen soldiers and honours pain of all families, Sinhala and Tamil alike
• Warns against using ethnic divisions for political gain
• Calls on people to reject war glorification and see peace as strength, not weakness
• Opines real freedom needs both political justice and economic independence

President Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday made a powerful call for national unity, justice, and lasting peace during the 16th War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony held at the War Heroes’ Memorial in Battaramulla. 

Addressing the solemn gathering, the President asserted that remembrance must transcend tribute—it must serve as a pledge to never allow conflict to rise again in Sri Lanka.

“This memorial is not just a place of remembrance. It is a solemn pledge that we will build a society of unity, love, and brotherhood—not one filled with hatred and division.”

The annual commemoration honours the thousands of Sri Lankan military personnel who laid down their lives during the three-decade-long civil war that ended in 2009. Attended by military officials, families of fallen heroes, Government representatives, and the public, the event marked a day of reflection and recommitment to national healing.

In his address, the President paid tribute to the soldiers whose names are etched on the memorial walls, describing their sacrifice as the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s hard-won peace. He acknowledged the pain endured by families across the nation regardless of ethnicity, who continue to mourn loved ones lost to the war.

“The tears of mothers, the grief of wives, the anguish of children—these stories are not bound by region or race. North or South, Tamil or Sinhala, all have suffered. Their pain must be the reason we never allow history to repeat itself,” he added.

Disanayake said this commemoration is not merely a remembrance of the war’s conclusion, but also a pledge to unite all communities – Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, and Malay – in building a nation rooted in brotherhood and harmony, rather than allowing divisions to reignite.

“Many soldiers sacrificed their lives to bring this war to a conclusion. Their names etched on these memorial walls stand testament to their sacrifice. Many others were left permanently disabled, while thousands of families still grieve the loss of loved ones. As a nation, we owe them an eternal debt. Their legacy binds us in gratitude and duty,” he added. 

Disanayake underscored that while the war may have ended, the struggle for genuine peace and unity continues. 

“The war was not fought for war’s sake—it was fought in hope of peace. True victory lies not in the defeat of an enemy, but in the triumph of unity and reconciliation,” he pointed out.

The President denounced the exploitation of ethnic tensions for political gain, stating that divisions were deliberately manufactured in the past to seize and sustain power.

“Today, I met soldiers who have spent decades confined to beds, some since 1996 or even 1988. Their tears speak where words fail. We must end this cycle of tragedy. Our duty is to bequeath future generations to a united nation, not one fractured by exploitation of ethnic tensions for political gain,” he stressed. 

Disanayake called for an end to the glorification of war and urged the public to reject narratives that frame peace as betrayal or reconciliation as weakness. 

“Peace is increasingly being portrayed as a sign of betrayal. Reconciliation is being distorted into surrender. But as a progressive society, we must raise our voices more than ever for humanity and compassion. This applies not only within our own country, but across the world. What have the wars and conflicts raging around the globe truly brought us? Victory? No—only destruction. That is why I believe we must act with unwavering commitment and clarity in our efforts to achieve lasting peace. That is why I believe we must work with unwavering resolve for peace. We must dismantle the dangerous narrative that glorifies war, the false pleasure drawn from rivers of blood shed to gain or protect power. This glorification must end,” he said.

The President also said there is no justification for Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka’s incarceration for over two and a half years. “At that time, he and I shared a close relationship. It was power that prevailed, rather than law or justice. History has exploited these conflicts and wars to seize and strengthen power. Our children in both the North and the South have suffered as a result,” he noted.

He said every soldier, every officer who wears a uniform and holds a weapon in respect of the law hopes that the moment never comes when they have to use that weapon—that is the true prayer of humanism.

“This should be the collective prayer of our society. Yet, a small group constantly dreams of the moment they might ignite violence with the weapon in their hand. No – our position must be firm, we must build a society where no one ever has the opportunity or justification to raise a weapon against another human being. We must not be afraid to say this clearly. No one should be subjected to oppression. We must only be bound by truth, by humanity, and by compassion. We should never be subjugated to authoritarianism. Therefore, I believe that to transform history into valuable experience, we must become a people who learn lessons from those experiences,” he added.

“Our land has been soaked with blood and our rivers with tears. We must become a people who learn from history. We have suffered enough. Let us now build a nation where no child lives in fear of war,” he stated.

He said the supremacy of the rule of law must be firmly established in this country, regardless of any challenges. 

“The world should speak highly of our governance. Our nation must be built as one free from crime and drug menaces. It should be a country without conflict, distrust, or hatred. Only then we can achieve true freedom for our motherland, along with strong and genuine sovereignty. Without this, sovereignty remains merely a phrase on paper, not a reality. We must make this the reality of our motherland,” he added.

Disanayake said that the country’s full freedom remains incomplete until Sri Lanka achieves both political justice and economic independence.

Addressing the current state of the country, the President highlighted challenges to economic sovereignty and development, noting that external conflicts and internal instability continue to impact the economy and quality of life.

“We must build not only a peaceful but a prosperous nation. Peace and reconciliation are the essential foundations for this transformation,” he said.

The President said the Government aspires to transform this land into the most esteemed motherland in the world and to enable its people to enjoy a high standard of living. “The essential foundation for this is peace and reconciliation. Therefore, at this critical moment, I firmly believe we must courageously make every possible decision in favour of peace and reconciliation,” he added.

The President concluded his speech with a heartfelt appeal to soldiers, citizens, and leaders alike to dedicate themselves to a new struggle—not for territory or power, but for peace, progress, and the dignity of all Sri Lankans.

“Let the bravery and sacrifice of our war heroes be the foundation of a renewed Sri Lanka. From this sacred ground, let us unite in a new battle—for peace, reconciliation, and a better future for our children,” he added.

The commemoration ended with floral tributes, the sounding of the Last Post, and a moment of silence to honour the fallen—marking not just remembrance, but a collective commitment to a peaceful and united Sri Lanka.