Cancellation of Victory Day Parade will help national reconciliation - TNA Canada commends govt move
Champika organises war heroes’ commemoration at Panagoda
by Shamindra Ferdinando-May 18, 2016, 7:30 am
Against the backdrop of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government calling off Victory Day Parade held annually to celebrate Sri Lanka’s triumph over the LTTE, Megapolis and Western Province Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has organised a war heroes’ commemoration at Panagoda Army Cantonment tomorrow (May 19) at 3.15 pm.
Minister Ranawaka will make a special statement at the Bodhirajarama temple in the cantonment. The JHU heavyweight will explain the circumstances leading to the cancellation of the Victory Day Parade to pave the way for religious observances and cultural events.
The military brought the war to a successful conclusion on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon on the morning of May 18, 2009.
The main government sponsored event will be held at the war memorial parliamentary grounds with President Maithripala Sirisena’s participation at 4 pm today (May 18).
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa inaugurated Victory Day Parade in the wake of the annihilation of the LTTE seven years ago. The last Victory Day Parade was held in Matara last May under the auspices of the President Sirisena and Premier Wickremesinghe.
The Army alone lost about 23, 600 officers and men during the conflict. Of them, about 5,500 died during eelam war IV.
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran yesterday told The Island that the cancellation of Victory Day Parade would certainly help post-war national reconciliation process. The attorney-at-law said that as all communities had suffered gravely during the conflict, it would be unfair on the part of the government to celebrate the LTTE’s defeat. "Let us mourn the deaths of all those who had perished during the conflict," MP Sumanthiran said, adding that the cancellation of the scheduled Victory Day Parade would help heal wounds of war.
Northern Province Governor Reginald Cooray participated at a commemoration ceremony at the War Heroes’ monument in Kokavil, Kilinochchi on May 10. Addressing a gathering after paying floral tribute at the monument built in memory of fallen officers and men, Governor Cooray expressed gratitude to the military.
Mrs Saraswathi Mohanadan, Assistant Chief Secretary of the Northern Provincial Council, together with Major General Amal Karunasekara, Commander, Security Forces – Kilinochchi welcomed Governor Cooray on his arrival at the venue before a two-minute silence in honour of their memory was observed.
Canada strongly pushed for the cancellation of Victory Day Parade since May 2014. Although, many countries privately requested the previous government, only Canada publicly called for an immediate end to military celebrations. Canadian High Commissioner Shelley Whiting announced that her country wouldn’t be represented at the Victory Day parade in Matara.
The Canadian envoy said the annual military parade wouldn’t help post-war national reconciliation, therefore she wouldn’t accept the government invitation for May 2014 event.
Canadian High Commissioner Whiting yesterday commended the government move.
The following is the text of a statement issued by High Commissioner Whiting to The Island yesterday : " In May 2014, I expressed concerns with the celebration of "Victory Day" noting that it was counterproductive to meaningful and lasting peace and reconciliation. It was time to mend relations among communities so that all Sri Lankans could live in peace and dignity, free from discrimination based on ethnic, religious or linguistic identities. I noted that Sri Lanka’s own LLRC had also recommended a day of solemn remembrance for all victims of the war.
· Canada welcomed the current Administration’s efforts last year to shift from a celebration of Victory Day to a Day of Remembrance. This marked an important departure from previous years and was in keeping with the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitments on reconciliation, peace, security and stability for all Sri Lankans.
· Canada notes that the Government’s commemoration will continue this shift and will focus on reconciliation.
· I welcome and commend this focus on reconciliation on May 18 as one of many important steps that the Government of Sri Lanka has taken, continues to take, and will need to undertake in the future as the country moves forward on a path of reconciliation after a devastating 26 year conflict to ensure a secure, safe, peaceful Sri Lanka where all her citizens are afforded equal rights and opportunities.
· Canada remains committed to working with the Government of Sri Lanka toward lasting peace, reconciliation and prosperity in Sri Lanka."
