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

The continued repression can only lead to more violence, and this is something the
government must take note of in its reconciliation attempts. These various forms of

ad hoc obstructions to memorialization, be it from the government of the day or by
non-State actors-there have been a point of frustration for many affected families.

However, they have braved these threats, intimidation, obstructions, and restrictions
to remember, despite fears of reprisal, their loved ones. Their courage is testimony

to the innate human quality, and they need to be remembered.

The space for memory in the post-war Eastern and Northern areas of Sri Lanka is

dominated by the triumphant discourse, which denies freedom for an alternative
narration, making the truth of the losers. All are victims are annually waiting to

commemorate their lost loved ones. Today victims still need to struggle to
remember their dead ones despite intimidation and surveillance. Why would there be

the extra deployment of military, police, and other intelligence services on the day

of mourning? On the verge of national consultations if people have no space for
memorialization, how would there be a space for free expression of what people

need in terms of a just mechanism.

Concluding Observation

Memorializing the people who died in the war and airing the grievances of the
people need to be recognized as a right of the people in a meaningful reconciliation

process. But after the war, the memorials of memories are dominated by the

influential political persons and designed according to their agendas. In the post-war
context, the war memorialization was handled by parties, and only they glorify their

war heroism. The monuments have been constructed all over the country by the

victorious parties, and losers as well; war monuments have limited in the northern
part of the country. The state practice of memorialization has been selective and

aimed at ethnic chauvinism. Even in the eastern and northern regions, some places
are dotted with several war monuments erected by the state to glorify the victory of

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