EDITORIAL: The last will of the unknown warrior…


WRITTEN BY THRISHANTHA NANAYAKKARA


(May 27, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Nanthikadal lagoon was silent. The odor of the wind from the sea side stabbed the lungs of a survived warrior who was looking for the fallen. A craw was hovering above with an eagle eye yoked to the ground. He glided down, circled, and perched. Slowly hopped towards where my unknown warrior was resting in peace. His face had a gentle smile. Eyes still open, yet no breath to warm up his heart that was filled with a heavy last will few hours ago. The rattle of shells couldn’t shake it, the wind couldn’t blow it, and the craw couldn’t peck on it, for it safely departed and went so high that vultures couldn’t fly above it.

The last will murmured…”My little sister, my little brother, my little stream that soothed me when I was a child, the breeze that blew my sweat off,..please go and tell my amma that I fell on warm Sri Lankan soil for the last time with a dream. A dream that I shared with the soldier who fought beside me. It is to make sure my younger sister, my younger brother, and those kith and kin of the enemy on the other side of the battlefront would live dignified lives as Sri Lankan citizens under one rule of law which is just and fair on all. And that my little stream will continue to carry clear water, and flow through the greenery of Sri Lanka. I know if this dream comes true, the next generation will not have to die this death. I gave mine for this greater cause. ”

Soon the echo of the last will was over-powered by the rattle of fire-crackers. It looked at the mushrooms, smiled, and withdrew.

Some survived warriors heard the faint last will murmuring from time to time.

“Why don’t you rest in peace?” a survived warrior asked.

Then it replied, “Something worries me Sir.”

“Don’t worry son. We continue to carry your last will. Rest in peace.” the survived warrior replied.

“Where are you now? What are your plans Sir?” asked the last will again.

“My plan is to carry the candle you carried…and to serve your last will..”

“Oh, consoling…” the will replied.

The conversation continued in many hearts of survived warriors joined by silent civilian warriors, interrupted from time to time by the popping fire crackers, pushed to shades by hungry vultures, and imprisoned by the enemies of the last will. Yet, the conversation continued …The whistle of shells couldn’t shake it, the wind couldn’t blow it, and the craw couldn’t peck on it, for it took place in the hearts.

Sri Lankans celebrated the second anniversary of the victory in the streets of Colombo. Some of them sat in silence and continued the conversation with the last will.

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