What Karannagoda’s ‘Turning Point’ teaches post-conflict generation

A few years ago, my son Bhanu, born in 2005, sparked a curious conversation when he asked me what I knew about "Nari."

- By Chanuka Wattegama

Amused, I began explaining about foxes, only for him to interrupt, clarifying that he meant a group of people. My curiosity piqued, I listened as he described "Nari" as a defunct terrorist group. I couldn't help but chuckle when I realised he'd mixed up "Nari" with "Koti," the local term for LTTE cadres.

When I asked where he'd heard the word, he casually mentioned a school conversation. That moment hit me hard-it was a stark reminder of how blissfully unaware his generation is of the dark chapters mine endured: the daily toll of conflict casualties, the routine checks of school bags for bombs, and newspapers perpetually filled with reports of blasts.

The Sri Lankan north-eastern conflict (1983-2009) was a defining chapter in the nation's history, characterised by ethnic tensions between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamil communities, culminating in the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. For Sri Lankans born after 2000, this conflict is a distant memory, often understood through secondary sources like old newspapers or family narratives.

Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda's memoir, Turning Point: The Naval Role in Sri Lanka's War on LTTE Terrorism' (2025) by Penguin India, is released in that backdrop. It offers a firsthand perspective from a key military figure who led the Sri Lankan.

Navy during the war's final phase. This article explores the potential impact of Turning Point on Sri Lankan youth born after 2000. examining how it educates them about their country's past and the lessons it imparts for their future. By combining insights from the book's review, historical context, and contemporary relevance, this analysis highlights the book's role as both a historical document and an educational tool.

Turning Point of the battle with "small boats"

Turning Point chronicles Admiral.