Every patriot in this country is celebrating the military victories against the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world, which received the backing of several NGOs, human rights activists, etc. It is obvious that our war heroes are accomplishing a great feat which is incomparable. Thousands of these sons and daughters of this country have sacrificed their lives and limbs for the sake of the territorial integrity of our motherland. Some of these war heroes do not possess a home or a block of land of their own. The mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and beloved children of these brave men and women have suffered a series of traumas as a result of war. It is not only our brave soldiers who should be recognized or appreciated, but also their loved ones should be commended and acknowledged. It is these innocent mothers and fathers who brought up these heroes who have almost finished the most horrifying organization in the world. This outfit once was not very far from taking the lives of our Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksha and the Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka. This shows us how the LTTE was able to access to any target they wished to.

Merely lighting fire-crackers and putting up banners just after the troops liberate some parts in the country, doesn’t give the due respect and recognition to our war heroes and their families. We see our veterans here and there without their limbs struggling in their day to day activities. It is not only the war heroes from Marvil Aru to Pudukudiyirippu who should be selectively recognized, but also the others who sacrificed their lives and limbs from the start of this menace of terrorism nearly three decades ago. We will never be secure until this brutish organization is extinct. Therefore, the feat done by every war hero disregarding their educational back grounds or politics, should be taken into greater account.

Sri Lanka has spent dearly for this cause for nearly three decades and now it is the responsibility of every patriot of this country to pay their gratitude to every war hero, not merely by words but by means. I think it is our politicians or the decision making bodies in power who must first set the example by sacrificing their possessions for this cause of saving our soldiers’ future rather than accumulating public property.

Our war heroes and their families must be well looked after by the state rather than glorifying them on the stage. Their children must be given access to any popular school in the island. Their problems such as housing ought to be solved at any cost. After a proper survey the one’s without homes should be provided with homes or blocks of land.

The sacrifices made by these soldiers has given us the opportunity to have an undivided Sri Lanka for our future generations. Terrorism should be wiped out whatever the cost maybe. That is what the patriotic people of this country had said even before the Waterloo of the LTTE began at Marvil Aru. Now the rest is a history and it is our turn to repay our debt to our war heroes, who have served in the Army. Navy, Air Force and Police.