Don't abandon our war heroes

THE arrest and pretrial detention of Admiral (Retired) D.N.S. Ulugetenne, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, marks a troubling chapter in Sri Lanka's postwar political landscape.

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The decorated naval chief, who served at the peak of the country's internal conflict, has been remanded without a conviction, without compelling evidence of absconding, and without clear legal justification, sparking renewed debate over how post-conflict societies should treat their military personnel.

The move has not only raised constitutional and procedural concerns domestically but also casts a harsh spotlight on the global inconsistencies in how nations address allegations of wartime conduct.

A military career built in a time of crisis

Admiral Ulugetenne led the Navy during a critical period in Sri Lanka's long and bloody civil war, which spanned from 1983 to 2009 and cost over 80,000 lives by most estimates. His leadership, particularly during operations to intercept arms shipments and maintain maritime security, was instrumental in tipping the balance of power in favour of the Sri Lankan state during the final phase of conflict.

He was not a political figure. His command decisions were made in a high-intensity combat environment, where rules of engagement were ambiguous and often ill defined. Despite this, he earned commendations for professionalism and restraint, even in the face of asymmetric warfare.

Yet in 2025, he finds himself imprisoned before trial, absent any charge that would normally require detention under Sri Lankan law. Legal experts, including former magistrates and human rights lawyers, have raised concerns about due process and the erosion of legal norms.

"This looks more like an act of political expedience than a legitimate prosecution," said one Colombo-based defence analyst who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the case.

Global double standards: The UK and US cases