War Journey by Malarvan

<p>'The child you threatened once the young shoot you stepped on <br> the Tamil you teased is standing with a gun in front of you.'<br> This short diary was recovered from Malaravan's kit after he was killed<br> in action in 1992 when barely twenty. In it he recounts his unit's journey<br> to Maankulam the island's granary to fight a critical battle where they<br> routed the Lankan military. The LTTE's planning and tactics the fervour<br> and camaraderie of the young Tigers and the actual combat are minutely<br> chronicled. As a foil to the violence Malaravan brings out the beauty<br> of the Tamil forest and countryside and the humanity and support of the<br> common people for them despite their suffering under army rule.<br> Bittersweet fresh and lyrical at times War Journey is a testament<br> to the Tamil longing for a homeland and the wider conflict<br> that once engulfed the island.</p>