Sri Lanka Reflects on 17 Years Since War Victory

Sri Lanka today (18) commemorates 17 years since the end of one of the most turbulent chapters in its history, bringing closure to a conflict that lasted over three decades.

The war concluded on May 18, 2009, when security forces defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), with its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran killed in the Nandikadal lagoon area during the final phase of military operations.

The origins of the conflict can be traced back to July 1975, when the assassination of Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiappah marked one of the earliest major incidents in the LTTE’s separatist campaign.

Over the years, the country endured numerous attacks that resulted in heavy loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. Key economic and strategic locations, including the Central Bank and the Katunayake International Airport, were targeted in attempts to disrupt national stability.

Significant religious and cultural sites were also affected, including the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, underscoring the widespread impact of the conflict.

The humanitarian situation worsened further with the closure of the Mavil Aru sluice gate, a vital water source for farming communities in the Eastern Province, highlighting the severity of conditions during the war.

In response, Sri Lanka’s armed forces launched a coordinated military campaign across multiple fronts aimed at dismantling the LTTE. During the final stages, the group faced allegations of using civilians as human shields, while troops carried out operations to rescue those trapped in conflict zones.

After years of intense fighting and significant challenges, the conflict came to an end in May 2009, marking a turning point in the nation’s history.

Today, tributes are paid to the political leadership, military officials, and members of the armed forces whose efforts contributed to ending the conflict.

To mark the anniversary, the National Victory Day Commemoration is scheduled to take place tomorrow (19) at the War Heroes Memorial in Battaramulla, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

According to the Ranaviru Seva Authority, this year’s ceremony will include, for the first time, participation from families of fallen war heroes from the Northern and Eastern provinces, making the event particularly significant.