A song for those who stayed!

Let us sing a song of praise for those who could have deserted Sri Lanka at any time in the past thirty-three years for more salubrious climes, but chose to remain in their Motherland and face the prey-dark times we have endured.

Let us sing our song primarily for our soldiers, sailors and airmen who faced the terror let loose upon them and fought bravely, desperately what was once considered an unwinnable war against the world's most vicious terrorist outfit, led by the arch-friend, now annihilated. And for the officers who led from the front, many of whom died like heroes in that cruel conflict.

Let us sing for the doctors, nurses, teachers, all professionals who faithfully practised their disciplines, fearless in the face of terror unparalleled the world over and who did not flee to greener pastures and sell themselves for money and safety of a sort.

Let us sing anthems of praise for the religious dignitaries who lived their missions in spite of threat of death and branding as traitors by some; whose duty was to save all souls, howsoever depraved and sinful.

Let us hail those who endeavoured to make peace in our resplendent land of Lanka, bring warring people together and set hear ts and minds attune to eradicate hatred, jealousy and meanness from our souls. Blessed indeed are the peace makers.

Let us take pride in those farmers and cultivators in the Northern and Eastern climes who continued to sow and reap their crops even on blood-spattered fields, providing food for the masses.

Let us praise those "ordinary' families who lived under the harsh heel of terror, saw their loved ones killed, their young sons spirited away to replenish the forces of vituperative hatred against the people of Lanka, of whatever ethnic persuasion, who resisted the terror unleashed upon them. The people who, brick by brick, had built over countless generations two of the most splendid and magnificent cultures in human history; now our priceless Sri Lankan heritage.

Let us praise all those politicians of any party, elected by the people, who attempted to talk peace, to make peace with a foe who had long lost the spark of humanity, who aimed to crush their opponents under his brutal heel.;

Let us, altogether, praise the man who was elected by the majority of our people as President of this island with its rich and unique tapestry of history,w ho when his overtures for a peaceful and just settlement of dark rebel demands were rejected, did not hesitate to go to war to vanquish Sri Lanka's enemies in her own borders - and won. He did what was his prime duty, without fear or favour and carved his name with pride in ages to come.

We who love our Motherland and stayed with her in her years of grief and sorrow will not be forgotten when these days are sung of in the sagas of bards who will rise in the future to recall these historic times.

- Maureen Seneviratne