Living on an island nation in an era of ecocide is a challenge in itself. As I pen this down, nearly 1,000 Sri Lankans have either died or are missing. Thousands of houses destroyed, factories wiped out, roads eroded, railway tracks gone, a nation at peril. While tens of thousands have sought refuge in camps, unknown numbers lost their livelihoods, schools closed, running low on water and food, with the looming threat of disease, like a terminal patient fighting for life, this nation is not ready to die. Not now, not back then.
Loss, grief, tragedy, calamity, and disasters, along with invasions, wars, colonial conquests, and sickness, have battered us, nearly destroyed us, and brought us to our knees. Yet we did not kneel. Holding on to our very last breath, we fought back. Every time we fought hard, until we were back on our feet, until we had a smile on our face. That is Sri Lanka. A nation that knows no defeat.
We have lost our independence a couple of times in our history, lost our rights, our people, our treasures. But none of them could take one gift this nation has. Our spirit. We fought invaders hundreds of times our size, we fought empires whose sun never set, we fought until we won our freedom, our way of life with a hope to die as free citizens under our sun. Generations before us made great sacrifices, paid both in sweat and blood so that we could live our lives as Sri Lankans.From kings to generals, soldiers, farmers, blacksmiths, poets, writers, and every man, woman, monk and clergy stood by their motherland, sacrificing their breath for us.
Droughts killed thousands, tsunamis killed even more, earth slips took whole villages, floods took families. We grieved with them, side by side. We cried with them knowing their pain. Their loss was ours and our solidarity was theirs. With every loss, we rebuilt, recreated hope, and emerged stronger.
We have no control over mother nature. We never forget the beautiful gifts she has bestowed upon us: our sandy shores, green mountains, silky waterfalls, purest water, fertile earth, exotic animals, fruits and treasures. We are thankful to her for making us a true paradise of earth. We are truly grateful for her for not sending us earth quakes, winter storms and volcanos. She is not our enemy, she is our mother and ally who sometimes gets angry. Perhaps not with us but our nation pays the price nonetheless. Yet, as her children, she has given us the most valuable gift: Resilience. It is in our blood and spirit. You can beat a Sri Lankan socially, financially, or politically, but if life remains in that body, the battle is not lost.
I weep with my nation. Sitting at a coffee shop thousands of miles away, soaked in tears and with a heavy heart, I am doing what I can. At this hour, we need you. We need your solidarity, we need your expertise, we need your support. We are only a developing economy. We have little to rebuild with except our strength, courage, and determination. Help us come back. Visit Sri Lanka if you are a traveler, donate what you can to the Government’s relief program, go volunteer if you are one. We promise you this: we will keep smiling, we will not surrender, and we will continue our resilience until we are back on our feet. Ayubowan ( May you live long ).
Dhanuka Dickwella
SriLanka, Resilience, Ecocide, NaturalDisaster, Geopolitics, SouthAsia, Colonialism, Aid, Solidarity, LightWalker
Dhanuka Dickwella is a distinguished Sri Lankan poet, author, and multifaceted professional whose work spans literature, geopolitics, and social activism. Holding a Master’s degree in International Relations, he has established himself as an expert in geopolitics and geoeconomics, fields that inform his analytical and creative endeavours.
His professional portfolio includes significant editorial and journalistic roles: he serves as the Executive Editor of The Asian Reviews magazine, a platform dedicated to bridging the literary worlds of East and West. Additionally, he contributes as a guest writer for the Chicago-based Armenian Mirror-Spectator, focusing on geopolitical issues in the Caucasus region, and as a columnist and guest speaker for Force, an Indian magazine addressing security and defense matters. Dickwella’s career in public service is equally notable. Dhanuka Dickwella is the Chief Coordinator for Canada for the Panorama International Literature Festival 2026. He has been actively involved in Sri Lankan politics, having served as a grassroots politician, political campaign director, and council member of a local government body in a rural Sri Lankan town. Prior to his political engagements, he founded and led a foundation dedicated to empowering youth and supporting underprivileged communities, reflecting his commitment to social equity. Currently, he advises youth groups on political activism and broader political trends, leveraging his extensive experience to foster the next generation of civic leaders. Beyond his analytical and political pursuits, Dickwella is a celebrated poet and blogger whose literary work explores the complexities of human emotion and experience. His debut poetry collection, Voices of Lust, Love and Other Things, showcases his ability to weave personal narrative with universal themes. An ardent climate and social activist, he champions sustainable development and social justice, driven by a vision of a better world for future generations. A proud Sri Lankan patriot, Dickwella is also a devoted father to his daughter, whose influence is a cornerstone of his personal and creative life. Dhanuka Dickwella’s diverse achievements reflect a rare synthesis of intellectual rigor, artistic expression, and civic dedication, positioning him as a prominent voice in both Sri Lankan and global contexts.
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