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
A very eloquent depiction of a horrible injustice. Time and again we see powerful nations invading foreign lands and forcing their will on innocent subjects for monetary and political gain. Beautifully written
This has been a tragedy since the first civilizations existed. Empire building at the expense of a culture and their resources. Usually in the name of the invaders' god
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Sri lankan pride., well, you have quite impeccably expressed your true feeling towards our country and it's pride through out this poem, wonderful. nice mentioning by the way!