President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing the 16th War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony yesterday said the event 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.

“To the parents and wives of our fallen war heroes, I say this; you have made tremendous sacrifices, giving up your children and husbands to bring peace to this homeland. You are remarkable mothers and exceptional wives. What should be the genuine result of that sacrifice? The highest form of justice we can provide for your child, husband, friend or relative is to create enduring peace in this nation.

“Standing before this memorial and paying proper respect is not just an act of remembrance, it is a solemn pledge. A pledge that we will not allow conflict to rise again and that we will build a society of unity, love and brotherhood instead of one filled with hatred and division,” President Dissanayake said.

The National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony, held to honour the victory that marked the end of a war spanning over three decades, was conducted with pride and dignity at the War Heroes’ Memorial in Battaramulla, under the patronage of Commander-in-Chief, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Addressing the event, President Dissanayake further said for decades, the nation endured the horrors of war and conflict, which inflicted immense suffering on our people and land, and was brought to an end 16 years ago.

“Today, we honour the brave military personnel and officers who sacrificed their lives to achieve this peace. This day holds profound historical significance. Many soldiers sacrificed their lives to bring this war to a conclusion. Their names etched on these memorial 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.”

Yet the President said ‘war’ is synonymous with tragedy and devastation. “Those who fought did not seek war for its own sake; they sought peace. Today, we witness the remnants of this devastation, children orphaned, parents bereaved and spouses widowed. Across our land, from North to South, grief knows no ethnicity.”

While noting that war is a tragedy, the President stressed that as a nation that has endured this immense sorrow, it is our duty to ensure that such a conflict does not arise again.

“We must strive to build a society characterised by peace, unity and compassion, replacing suspicion, anger and hatred with brotherhood and love,” he said.

The President went on to say that not only in the South, but also in the North, people hold up photographs of their husbands and children on the streets and mourn their deaths.

“To every parent, their child is precious. So, as a country that has faced such a massive tragedy, our responsibility today is to prevent such a war from happening again in our country. This memorial reminds us that true homage lies in forging unity. Let us vow never to permit division again. Instead, let us build a society where brotherhood triumphs over enmity,” he said.

He also pointed out that at present it is evident that conflicts, racism and extremism have been strategically exploited at various times to acquire power.

“These issues have not emerged naturally; rather, they have been manipulated to secure authority and to obscure the wrongdoings committed. There is no justification for the Field Marshal to be incarcerated 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,” the President said.