In Sri Lanka, a divided national memory of a brutal civil war

Indian Express

26-05-2025

Written by Saurabh
Sixteen years after the end of the decades-long civil war, Sri Lanka observed a period of remembrance on May 19. The annual commemoration honours the thousands of Sri Lankan military personnel who died during the conflict that drew to a close on May 18, 2009, following the death of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Speaking at the 16th War Heroes' Commemoration Ceremony in Battaramulla, Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake 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. Further, 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.
However, many Sri Lankan Tamils observed Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day on May 18 to mourn the thousands of Tamil civilians who lost their lives. Tamil diaspora communities around the world also held their own remembrance events, reiterating calls for justice, accountability, and a lasting political solution. Relatives of the victims have steadfastly called for accountability regarding the deaths of civilians, estimated at 40,000 by the United Nations, during the concluding conflict in Mullivaikkal, as well as the forced disappearance of numerous individuals, including those who surrendered to the military.
Sri Lanka's civil war continues to deeply shape the nation's political landscape, social fabric, and quest for lasting peace and reconciliation in 2025. A major ongoing issue is the continued division surrounding remembrance and historical narratives. The government's commemoration of National War Heroes stands in contrast to the solemn observance of Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day. This divergence highlights the differing perspectives on the conflict's end and the ongoing struggle for a shared national memory that acknowledges the suffering of all communities.
The critical issue of accountability and justice for wartime atrocities remains a point of contention. Despite reports by the United Nations detailing credible allegations of war crimes committed by both state forces and the LTTE, domestic mechanisms for accountability have been widely criticised as insufficient and lacking independence. Even after 16 years, victim families, particularly within the Tamil community, continue their long-standing calls for credible investigations and prosecutions.
Canada has designated May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day and also inaugurated the Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton. It has endorsed independent international initiatives aimed at achieving accountability. In response, Sri Lanka has expressed its 'strong objections', arguing that such measures 'complicate and undermine' the government's endeavours for reconciliation and national unity.
For India, the human cost of the Sri Lankan conflict was officially recognised in April this year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Sri Lanka. This event honoured the Indian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during India's intervention in the conflict in the late 1980s, underscoring India's long-standing historical and humanitarian connection to the Sri Lankan civil war.
India has consistently advocated for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, which proposes devolution of power to provincial councils, as a means to address Tamil political aspirations. Prime Minister Modi reportedly reiterated this stance and emphasised the importance of holding provincial council elections to ensure greater political representation for the Tamil community.
Meanwhile, many in Tamil Nadu too marked Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day. The emotional observances in the state highlight the deep linguistic, cultural, and familial ties with Sri Lankan Tamils and the enduring impact of the conflict on the Indian Tamil population and their continued solidarity with their kin across the Palk Strait.
The contrasting nature of these commemorations underscores the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. While the government's focus remains on honouring the armed forces and the restoration of peace, the Tamil community's remembrance highlights the urgent need to address the loss of civilian lives and the enduring impact of the war on their community. It demonstrates that while the fighting has ended, the journey towards a shared understanding of the past and a unified future for all Sri Lankans continues to be a complex and sensitive undertaking. The calls for truth and justice, particularly concerning alleged human rights violations during the war, remain a significant aspect of the remembrance for many.
The writer is associate professor, Centre for South Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University