Observed by Sri Lankans | ||
Official name Rana Wiru Commemoration Day Also called Victory Day (2010–2014) Type End of the Sri Lankan Civil War Significance Commemorates the war dead Observances Parades, silences, cultural show | ||
Remembrance Day (ජාතික රණවිරු සැමරුම් උළෙල) also known as the Rana Wiru commemoration day in Sri Lanka marks the capitulation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the end to the Sri Lankan Civil War on 18 May 2009. The day is a war heroes commemoration day as well as a remembrance day for civilians who died in the war from both sides. The celebrations are marked by a military parade, speeches and a moment of silence. From its inception in 2010 to 2014 the day was known as Victory Day, under President Mahinda Rajapaksa, but from 2015 onwards the day has been renamed Remembrance Day by President Maithripala Sirisena.
History
The Sri Lankan Civil War was an armed conflict fought between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, aka Tamil Tigers) and the Government of Sri Lanka. With the end to the war, the 18th May 2009 marked a day of celebration around the island. The celebrations of 1st anniversary were presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whose government won the war. The celebrations were commemorated as Victory Day, a celebration of the triumph of the armed forces against terrorism in the country, and continued under the same name until 2015. The newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena renamed the day to Remembrance Day to "mark the sacrifices made by all those, who irrespective of their ethnicity, safeguarded the unity and territorial integrity of the country". The day also recognises all civilians who died in the war. The day is a step towards the reconciliation between all communities in the country.
Commemorations for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are not permitted.