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Research Journal of the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka- Rohana 12, 2020

Expectations and Failure of Reconciliation Efforts in Sri Lanka

In 2009, the government of Sri Lanka took control of areas under the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE). At this juncture, the local and international

community expected that the government would take steps to heal the wounds of
war war's wounds and address to the ethno- nationalist grievances that caused the

conflict (De Votta, 2013) It is the nature of human to love the loved ones after the
humanitarian disasters of war. For the purpose of memory of the loved ones, both

sides involved in the conflict took initiatives to remember them.

There are several war monuments and memorials in the country dedicated to war

heroes which aim at celebration and glorification. They have been sponsored by
both camps engaged in the conflict. One can observe that there are many war

monuments dedicated to perceived heroes of the group. There is a war victory

monument erected by the government in Baththaramulla, a township close to the
capital of Colombo. It has recorded the names of all the government soldiers who

lost their lives during the civil war.

Further, the government annually sponsors national victory day celebration,
whenever the celebration is held the place gets decorated and illuminated. Apart

from establishing monuments, some cultural activities, especially those sponsored
by Buddhist clergy such as Boodhi Puja, pirith (religious ceremonies are followed

by the Buddhist people) chanting etc. to remember war heroes. On the other hand,

the minority party to the conflict attempts their best to keep alive the memories of
the war by activities such as issuing of calendars as an example commemoration

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ceremony are held at Mulliwaiikkal war monument. Further, it can be observed
there are roads in several parts of the country named after the deceased soldiers by
the community and government honouring soldiers who lost their lives in the name

of freedom of the motherland as a political strategy to attract people to the governing

8 The place which the LTTE Leader killed by the Government Army forces
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