Sri Lanka, May 15 -- Next Monday (May 18) marks an important landmark in Sri Lankan history. Eleven years ago when the three-decade-old conflict was brought to end, the members of Armed Forces were widely respected and honoured for the valiant role they played in defeating the most ruthless terrorists of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). While that exalted position did not diminish over the years, there was a definite decline as the public attention was diverted to economic issues and other mundane affairs.

On the eve of the 11th anniversary of the May 2009 victory, there was sudden upswing in the illustrious position of the Armed Forces in the public eye due to the courageous role played in the national campaign to curb COVID...