Sri Lanka, Sept. 15 -- Even though 17 years have elapsed since the end of the armed conflict, many affected communities in the North, East and even in the South are still suffering. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mirror, former Commander of the Army and Chief of Defence Staff General (Retd.) Shavendra Silva said that the pain and suffering endured by all communities deserve acknowledgement and dignity.

"I respect the pain experienced by all communities affected by the conflict. True reconciliation depends not only on revisiting the past but also on building a peaceful, stable and prosperous future together. Reconciliation cannot remain trapped permanently within contested narratives of the past alone. Lasting peace also depend...