Sri Lanka has become one of the most popular tourist destinations to visit in South Asia, often being lauded for its pristine beaches, sprawling national parks and amazing historical sights. All of this can make you forget that the country was embroiled in a brutal civil war that ended just over a decade ago. Along the Northern parts of the country, you can find a number of construction works that commemorate the great victories of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces during the war – the most notable of these is the Elephant Pass War Memorial.
Elephant Pass is a bottlenecked passage that serves as the gateway to the Jaffna Peninsula from the Sri Lankan mainland. It is for this reason that the region had been highly contested by both sides during the civil war. Over the course of the conflict, several major battles took place at Elephant Pass. In the year 2000, Sri Lankan forces were driven off from the area. Through a concentrated effort by the country’s military in the decade that would follow, Elephant Pass was recaptured by the Sri Lankan Military in 2009. This major victory helped propel the army ever forward in their quest to end the civil war – and indeed, the conflict did finally end shortly after this victory.
It is to commemorate this historic achievement and to pay tribute to all the brave soldiers who made it possible that the Elephant Pass War Memorial was erected. The memorial was unveiled amidst the presence of the Sri Lankan military elite alongside several traditional ceremonies.
The monument is stupa-like in appearance. Two huge bronze hands hold the likeness of the country aloft surrounded by majestic lions. Being over 42-feet high, this architectural work will definitely leave you with a sense of awe when you see it.
