No “Remembrance Day”, Sirisena Celebrates “War Heroes Day”
May 20, 2015
Contrary to the government’s decision to observe May 19 as “Day of Remembrance” to commemorate all who died in the war, the government yesterday celebrated a “War Heroes day”. The President’s official website described yesterday’s celebration as “Ranaviru Day” (War Heroes day)
The Sri Lankan government, which has pledged to achieve reconciliation among the communities, four days ago has announced that May 19, which was marked as the “Victory Day” for the last five years, will be marked as a “Remembrance Day” to commemorate all who died in the war.
On May 15, Cabinet spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne told the media that May 19, which was celebrated as “Victory Day” during the Rajapaksa era will from this year onwards be observed as “Remembrance Day” to recall the sacrifices of all those who had fought to maintain the unity and integrity of the country irrespective of their ethnicity.
The government’s decision was welcomed by many people and attracted the attention of international media.
Jahan Perera, the executive director of National Peace Council wrote; “The government’s decision to bring the loss of life during the war into focus on this occasion through a Day of Remembrance is welcome. The democratic space that has opened up under the government of President Maithripala Sirisena needs to be used to strengthen the reconciliation process and not be used for the purpose of gaining narrow political advantage by divisive political statements. The need for reconciliation between all communities must be foremost in the minds of all people and our political leaders. The genuine Tamil grievances that created conditions for the Tamil militancy need to be addressed urgently. The government’s redefinition of May 18 to be a Day of Remembrance is one of the steps forward in the process to national reconciliation.”
New Indian Expressed carried a story titled “Rajapaksa’s ‘War Heroes’ Day’ to Counter Sirisena’s ‘Remembrance Day. The newspaper reported; Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who hopes to romp back to power in the coming parliamentary elections on a Sinhalese-nationalist wave, will be celebrating May 18, the day on which LTTE Supremo Prabhakaran was killed, as ‘War Heroes’ Day.’ Rajapaksa’s rally to be held at Colombo’s Viharamahadevi Park is noteworthy in the context of President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to observe May 19 as ‘Remembrance Day. to honor all Lankans, soldiers and civilians, irrespective of ethnicity, who had sacrificed their life or limb for the sake of the unity and integrity of the country. During the Rajapaksa regime, May 19 was celebrated as ‘Victory Day’ marked by a military spectacle.”Read More
