My Country.... Playground For Invaders Poem by Jayatissa K. Liyanage

Proud nation we were, until invaders set feet on
for Her matchless tropical setting in Indian Ocean
Treasures, pleasant climate and natural beauty
resources, mother nature had gifted, handsomely

She was raided, stripped and raped
Ruining ours, forced upon us, alien cultures
Foreign language, strange religions, unfamiliar costumes
new food habits, alcohol, gambling and other deplorable vices

National values buried, new values forced on by
Portuguese, Dutch and English intruders alike
For their selfish gains, thro' well over five centuries
Fair skinned intruders, not acting fair

Ruling the subjects, most inhuman way
imposed taxes, enforced slavery, encroached land
Invested on, what ever they could reap from
draining out nation's sap, under their rules

Divided discriminated and dissociated masses
Caused genocides and atrocities ruthlessly
Murdered national leaders, activists, innocents ‘n clergy
Devastating our heritage, culture and values

They ruled us not for our, but for their gain
Granting, not a wee bit of human rights
Sons and daughters rebelling against imperialism
rulers were forced, over years, to leave

From every colony they were troubled
annoyed, infuriated and humiliated
National freedom fights being aggravated
'Rulers' found it not possible to cope up with