They risk their lives to give us security

Every single army/navy/air force/police officer today in our island deserves sincere gratitude from every citizen. When one watches young army personnel flag down a vehicle to carry out a check or call a man on a bike to stop, one cannot but realize he is putting his own life on the line to do his duty. Anyone they stop could be a suicide killer; anyone could be carrying a gun. Yet they do stop them, they do search them and have successfully detected smuggled bombs and explosives. Thank you soldier, for doing this for us, the citizens, whom you don’t even know personally. As a mother, when I see young army personnel toiling in the hot sun and pouring rain at road blocks, I say a prayer: “Ya Allah, please protect them all.”

Every time there is a bomb, there is an attack, there is a war casualty - my heart cries out for all those sons - our sons who lay down their lives for us, who get wounded for us, who march forward in spite of death looking them in the face. You deserve everything. Thank you, sons, thank you. We are with you.

My eyes get misty when I listen to their loved ones sending greetings to them over the radio. The families of the soldiers, deserve our gratitude too. Thank you. May Allah bless you all and guide you all.

It is heartwarming to see the present government recognizing their sacrifice, the President intermingling with them and the media giving them due recognition. All of us must try to make their lives easier. Do not be impatient if your vehicle is flagged down - it’s done for your safety. Do not feel intimidated if you are searched in the bus or train. It’s for your good.

May Allah bring peace to this little country of ours soon. May these young boys return to their mothers and their young wives and children safely Insha Allah.

~ By Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha ReffaiDehiwela