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The Road From Elephant Pass
The Road From Elephant Pass won the 2003 Gratiaen Prize for creative writing in English “for its moving story, for its constant feel of real life, for its consistency of narrative momentum, for its descriptive power, for its dramatic use of dialogue to define social context, capture character psychology, and trace the development of a relationship, for its convincing demonstration that resolution of conflict and reconciliation of differences are feasible through mutual experience and regard, and last though not least, for its eminently civilized handling of the last degree of intimacy between a man and a woman.”
358 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 26, 2012
I got a rather, mussed-up copy of this novel from the dying remains of the library of the British Council in Kandy a couple of months before the movie came out.
I hadn't read any books written by my compatriots until then, probably because of the natural distrust you develop against your own kind.
But I stand corrected! Nihal De Silva, now dead and gone, spun a wonderful tale of intrigue and adventure coupled with a haunting romance between a Sinhalese soldier boy and a Tamil terrorist girl.
I am apparently, a Sinhalese. Not that it matters to me, I don't think of myself as one and whenever I do, it is with regret. The Sinhalese-Tamil gap is probably the worst divide in my world. For me, it is bigger and uglier than the "black-white" race tensions in the Americas.
The Sinhalese people around me tend to talk about the Tamils as if they are a whole different species. It angers them when a Tamil person rises above them, the notion of a Sinhalese working under a Tamil is met with horror and talks of how deep that particular Sinhalese has fallen.Tamils are supposed to have a separate colour, smell and believe me, I have tried sniffing my best friend who is Tamil and in school in the UK but he normally smells of aftershave and maybe a hint of man-sweat!
Having been brought up by educated parents and sent to an International School, I have escaped the ideals of the Sinhalese people. I have plenty of friends who are Tamil and Muslim and I hug them and hang out with them not for a moment thinking of them as anything but my friends. But the sad truth is that the ethnic divide is alive and well in the country.
Nihal De Silva has somehow managed to transcend this dark, disgusting barrier that prevents my country from reaching the pinnacle laid out for it. The Sinhalese Captain is from a Southern village; and people in the South are hardliners when it comes to ethnicity. The Tamil girl is wary of him, because he's the enemy, yes, but also because he is Sinhalese.
While I think of myself as Sri Lankan, there are probably a thousand others who think of themselves as Tamil or Sinhalese first. During the colonial times, this animosity was cultivated by the occupiers, using our own weakness against us.
The ending to this fascinating tale is not a happy one, and I doubt it could have been, given the situation. But it makes me wonder, if we keep creating fiction that bridges this horrifying gap in our nation, maybe our hearts too, in time, will learn to heal and a story about a Tamil girl and a Sinhalese boy could finish with a happy ending.
I hadn't read any books written by my compatriots until then, probably because of the natural distrust you develop against your own kind.
But I stand corrected! Nihal De Silva, now dead and gone, spun a wonderful tale of intrigue and adventure coupled with a haunting romance between a Sinhalese soldier boy and a Tamil terrorist girl.
I am apparently, a Sinhalese. Not that it matters to me, I don't think of myself as one and whenever I do, it is with regret. The Sinhalese-Tamil gap is probably the worst divide in my world. For me, it is bigger and uglier than the "black-white" race tensions in the Americas.
The Sinhalese people around me tend to talk about the Tamils as if they are a whole different species. It angers them when a Tamil person rises above them, the notion of a Sinhalese working under a Tamil is met with horror and talks of how deep that particular Sinhalese has fallen.Tamils are supposed to have a separate colour, smell and believe me, I have tried sniffing my best friend who is Tamil and in school in the UK but he normally smells of aftershave and maybe a hint of man-sweat!
Having been brought up by educated parents and sent to an International School, I have escaped the ideals of the Sinhalese people. I have plenty of friends who are Tamil and Muslim and I hug them and hang out with them not for a moment thinking of them as anything but my friends. But the sad truth is that the ethnic divide is alive and well in the country.
Nihal De Silva has somehow managed to transcend this dark, disgusting barrier that prevents my country from reaching the pinnacle laid out for it. The Sinhalese Captain is from a Southern village; and people in the South are hardliners when it comes to ethnicity. The Tamil girl is wary of him, because he's the enemy, yes, but also because he is Sinhalese.
While I think of myself as Sri Lankan, there are probably a thousand others who think of themselves as Tamil or Sinhalese first. During the colonial times, this animosity was cultivated by the occupiers, using our own weakness against us.
The ending to this fascinating tale is not a happy one, and I doubt it could have been, given the situation. But it makes me wonder, if we keep creating fiction that bridges this horrifying gap in our nation, maybe our hearts too, in time, will learn to heal and a story about a Tamil girl and a Sinhalese boy could finish with a happy ending.
June 8, 2023
An Army Officer's routine assignment to pick up a woman informant near Jaffna turns into a nightmare when the LTTE launches a massive attack on the peninsula and the camp at Elephant Pass. Then the two adversaries are forced to escape together through the rebel-held Wanni and later, cross the abandoned Wilpattu National Park on foot. The constant external dangers and their enforced dependence on each other gradually erodes their enmity and distrust. But when they finally reach Colombo, Wasantha is confronted with a shocking revelation…
Compared with the previous novel, ‘The Far Spent Day’, I liked this one better. The characterization was far better in projecting Captain Wasantha and Kamala, a female LTTE cadre, a seeming informer. Nihal de Silva handles the problem of terrorism in a manner of a true novelist by presenting opposing views through these two main characters by showing the ground realities of the war.
However, a problem I had was his using Sinhala and translating certain dialogues to show that those characters are speaking Sinhala, I always find the whole thing absurd and time wasting and as in ‘The Far Spent Day’ I wasn’t crazy about his language and didn’t like the internal monologues. I also found that the protagonist, Captain Wasantha is a bit of a male chauvinist, and I wonder why he was portrayed like that since the only other character is a female who happens to be an enemy. I couldn’t understand what the author was looking to achieve through it.
I’m giving 3 and 1/2 stars for this one.
Compared with the previous novel, ‘The Far Spent Day’, I liked this one better. The characterization was far better in projecting Captain Wasantha and Kamala, a female LTTE cadre, a seeming informer. Nihal de Silva handles the problem of terrorism in a manner of a true novelist by presenting opposing views through these two main characters by showing the ground realities of the war.
However, a problem I had was his using Sinhala and translating certain dialogues to show that those characters are speaking Sinhala, I always find the whole thing absurd and time wasting and as in ‘The Far Spent Day’ I wasn’t crazy about his language and didn’t like the internal monologues. I also found that the protagonist, Captain Wasantha is a bit of a male chauvinist, and I wonder why he was portrayed like that since the only other character is a female who happens to be an enemy. I couldn’t understand what the author was looking to achieve through it.
I’m giving 3 and 1/2 stars for this one.
April 16, 2017
This is a book about civil war and reaching across the bloodlines of that war; it's a book about making a desperate journey through jungle; it's a book about birds and animals and plants; it's a book about Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, the teardrop shed by the Indian subcontinent, is a land that was drenched in tears for the 25 years of the war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Estimates suggest that over 150,000 people, military and civilian, were killed during the war. The war was essentially fought over the Tigers' demand for a separate Tamil state - Eelam - within Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka government's refusal to countenance such an idea.
My father is Sri Lankan. Unusually, his mother was Sinhala (the majority and predominantly Buddhist part of the population) and his father was Tamil (the minority Hindu section of the country, who mainly live in the north and east of the country). Even back when my grandparents were married (and this was a long time ago, around 1916), such marriages were rare and faced much hostility. My grandmother's parents, who were high-caste Sinhala, largely cut-off contact with their daughter after her marriage: my father only met his grandparents once.
Under British colonial rule, these tensions were subsumed but when Ceylon gained independence on 4 February 1948, the Sinhala majority moved towards asserting their political control of the country, most notably by making Sinhala the state language. Since Tamil is not just a different language but uses a different script, this effectively threw many Tamils out of work.
Tamil separatist organisations began to spring up, of which the most important was the one organized by Velupillai Prabhakaran that became the LTTE. As attacks mounted, from both sides, the political tension worsened until full-scale civil war broke out in 1983. The war continued for 25 years, with the Tigers for much of that time controlling huge tracts of Sri Lanka in a parallel administration. A ruthlessly efficient organisation, the Tigers were the first group to develop the use of suicide bombers, and using them assassinated two heads of state: Rajiv Gandhi of India and Ranasinghe Premadasa, president of Sri Lanka.
This book was written in 2000, when it seemed the war would never end. The author, Nihal de Silva, examines the justifications and reasons for the war through his two main characters: a captain in the Sri Lankan army and a female cadre of the Tigers. The captain, Wasantha, is detailed with the job of conveying Kamala, a Tiger cadre turned informer, to Colombo so she can pass on vital information. But when the Tigers attack, the mis-matched pair are forced to go to ground, and then attempt to make their way south on foot, marching through the no-man's land of Wilpattu National Park.
The depiction of the arid scrub of the north, a land pockmarked by the reservoirs dug by the ancient kings of Sri Lanka to irrigate the land, is excellent and the author's knowledge of the flora and fauna shines through. The description of rural Sri Lanka, as the couple make their way through dirt-poor villages and abandoned tracks, is among the best I've read. And while Wasantha and Kamala head south, hunted by predators both human and animal, the author skillfully presents both sides of the conflict through their interaction.
The ending, when it comes, is tense, and shocking. It's the ending appropriate to a land still at war without apparent end. But, in the end, there was an end. The Sri Lankan army, reorganised and rejuvenated, drove the Tigers into smaller and smaller pockets of territory and eventually destroyed the leadership, but at the price of many civilian lives.
Nihal de Silva did not live to see the war's ending. He was killed by a landmine while visiting his beloved Wilpattu National Park, the scene of so much of this work. The Road From Elephant Pass is his memorial, and it's an eloquent one.
Sri Lanka, the teardrop shed by the Indian subcontinent, is a land that was drenched in tears for the 25 years of the war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Estimates suggest that over 150,000 people, military and civilian, were killed during the war. The war was essentially fought over the Tigers' demand for a separate Tamil state - Eelam - within Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka government's refusal to countenance such an idea.
My father is Sri Lankan. Unusually, his mother was Sinhala (the majority and predominantly Buddhist part of the population) and his father was Tamil (the minority Hindu section of the country, who mainly live in the north and east of the country). Even back when my grandparents were married (and this was a long time ago, around 1916), such marriages were rare and faced much hostility. My grandmother's parents, who were high-caste Sinhala, largely cut-off contact with their daughter after her marriage: my father only met his grandparents once.
Under British colonial rule, these tensions were subsumed but when Ceylon gained independence on 4 February 1948, the Sinhala majority moved towards asserting their political control of the country, most notably by making Sinhala the state language. Since Tamil is not just a different language but uses a different script, this effectively threw many Tamils out of work.
Tamil separatist organisations began to spring up, of which the most important was the one organized by Velupillai Prabhakaran that became the LTTE. As attacks mounted, from both sides, the political tension worsened until full-scale civil war broke out in 1983. The war continued for 25 years, with the Tigers for much of that time controlling huge tracts of Sri Lanka in a parallel administration. A ruthlessly efficient organisation, the Tigers were the first group to develop the use of suicide bombers, and using them assassinated two heads of state: Rajiv Gandhi of India and Ranasinghe Premadasa, president of Sri Lanka.
This book was written in 2000, when it seemed the war would never end. The author, Nihal de Silva, examines the justifications and reasons for the war through his two main characters: a captain in the Sri Lankan army and a female cadre of the Tigers. The captain, Wasantha, is detailed with the job of conveying Kamala, a Tiger cadre turned informer, to Colombo so she can pass on vital information. But when the Tigers attack, the mis-matched pair are forced to go to ground, and then attempt to make their way south on foot, marching through the no-man's land of Wilpattu National Park.
The depiction of the arid scrub of the north, a land pockmarked by the reservoirs dug by the ancient kings of Sri Lanka to irrigate the land, is excellent and the author's knowledge of the flora and fauna shines through. The description of rural Sri Lanka, as the couple make their way through dirt-poor villages and abandoned tracks, is among the best I've read. And while Wasantha and Kamala head south, hunted by predators both human and animal, the author skillfully presents both sides of the conflict through their interaction.
The ending, when it comes, is tense, and shocking. It's the ending appropriate to a land still at war without apparent end. But, in the end, there was an end. The Sri Lankan army, reorganised and rejuvenated, drove the Tigers into smaller and smaller pockets of territory and eventually destroyed the leadership, but at the price of many civilian lives.
Nihal de Silva did not live to see the war's ending. He was killed by a landmine while visiting his beloved Wilpattu National Park, the scene of so much of this work. The Road From Elephant Pass is his memorial, and it's an eloquent one.
December 22, 2008
A great geographical tour of the northern part of war torn Sri Lanka. Silva paints the land and its denizens brilliantly. I found the relationship between the male and female leads to be a bit stilted and the translation from Sinhala to English a bit repetitive - but certainly Silva's courage, for which he later lost his life in the same region due to a land mine explosion, is clear. I am not sure any other writer would want to venture where he dared to go.
June 19, 2023
Unpopular opinion: This book is amazing!
It was required reading for school, but I enjoyed the hell out of it for some reason. I was so invested in this story, and the ending actually physically hurt me.
I have read and reread this book multiple times. It will forever hold a special place in my heart.
It was required reading for school, but I enjoyed the hell out of it for some reason. I was so invested in this story, and the ending actually physically hurt me.
I have read and reread this book multiple times. It will forever hold a special place in my heart.
July 22, 2011
If he just shut up about the birds and re-thought the end, this book could've been quite something.
June 25, 2024
This was award winning and at first I didn’t see why. I can’t see why it became a movie because it is written like its intended for the screen. It’s just adventure and romance all the time. But in between is careful revelation about history and culture and the animals and flora/fauna of Sri Lanka. Not much about religion but definitely lots of other culture/ethnic info. Its wierd reading a book about an ethnic civil war written WHILE it is going on. And the author died prematurely while it was still going on so never saw the end. I don’t recommend it for literary value but it does capture a certain time in Sri Lanka’s history and it’s a very easy read and remarkably efficient at letting one know about the history/culture and since it was written in English it makes me wonder if the intended audience was people like me who need that kind of education.
March 23, 2015
I read this text as an A/L text and well, watched the movie too. I'm rather sorry that we had to torment ourselves with it and I'm seriously beginning to doubt Chandram Ratnam's efforts as a filmmaker. I don't really know about his body of work anyway, being a Colombo kid so I'm not in a position to judge. As for the author, all I've read except for this was "The Ginirella Conspiracy", which I enjoyed somewhat more than this particular book.
As for the movie, well I have one thing to say. It colored my view of Sri Lankan cinema for me...that being said, sorry for jumping in so rudely but I do agree with some of the things the rest of us here say and think. The writer has had a fair bit of experience in the wild as a naturalist and an avid explorer and it shows throughout the book, which kind of bogs it down at times. We could hardly get over Wasantha's little internal dialogues, which were interesting but sadly broke the pace of the story a few times. However it's quite a winning read in terms of it being a travelogue and survival guide with the impressive descriptions of the wildness of northern Sri Lanka and the constant bettering of the quality of the food in the primary protagonist's eyes! This gastronomic tour starts with a bit of dry rations and evil-smelling onion fry and ends well with a lovely bit of steaming rice and curry. I did admire the captain towards the middle and the end when he became obsessed with protecting Kamala from those deserters.
And it's quite understandable that the author would include touches of Sinhala and Tamil in retrospect. It feels as if he's writing for an international audience, but it's not really excusable.
I don't recommend this as a read to everyone, but to those who'd like to know about wartime Sri Lanka, it's a must-see.
As for the movie, well I have one thing to say. It colored my view of Sri Lankan cinema for me...that being said, sorry for jumping in so rudely but I do agree with some of the things the rest of us here say and think. The writer has had a fair bit of experience in the wild as a naturalist and an avid explorer and it shows throughout the book, which kind of bogs it down at times. We could hardly get over Wasantha's little internal dialogues, which were interesting but sadly broke the pace of the story a few times. However it's quite a winning read in terms of it being a travelogue and survival guide with the impressive descriptions of the wildness of northern Sri Lanka and the constant bettering of the quality of the food in the primary protagonist's eyes! This gastronomic tour starts with a bit of dry rations and evil-smelling onion fry and ends well with a lovely bit of steaming rice and curry. I did admire the captain towards the middle and the end when he became obsessed with protecting Kamala from those deserters.
And it's quite understandable that the author would include touches of Sinhala and Tamil in retrospect. It feels as if he's writing for an international audience, but it's not really excusable.
I don't recommend this as a read to everyone, but to those who'd like to know about wartime Sri Lanka, it's a must-see.
April 5, 2013
what caught me was the climax of the romance of wasantha n valeithan who begin the journey as incipient lovers.one would not believe that there's romance in this novel on account of the antagonistic attitude both returns equally at the very begining only to witness the awesome intimacy gradually brew between the two parties who seemed poles apart towards the end of the novel<>.how wasantha becomes the rightful heir to kamala's body with the determined killing of sexual enemies one by one at the critical juncture where kamala became a victim of deserters who was going to use her merely for their sexual gratification is simply adorable.
it's quite interesting how nihal de silva unfolds humanism in conflict situation. he has been able to prove that peace is a possible target through this wonderful escapade beacuse sinhalese and tamils have many common grounds within themselves reagardless of the ethnicity to get along with each other.the lengthy descriptions on birds,though tedious they are(except for wild life enthusiasts unlike myself :P),consequently bring in unity in the text ,provide evidences for such common stances
it's quite interesting how nihal de silva unfolds humanism in conflict situation. he has been able to prove that peace is a possible target through this wonderful escapade beacuse sinhalese and tamils have many common grounds within themselves reagardless of the ethnicity to get along with each other.the lengthy descriptions on birds,though tedious they are(except for wild life enthusiasts unlike myself :P),consequently bring in unity in the text ,provide evidences for such common stances
November 3, 2015
Another Great piece of writing by Nihal De Silva, story flows interestingly followed by curiosity. Use of local variations of English is appreciable. Sometimes I felt that the story sets itself far from the believability but it's not something to think much about, after all this is a fiction.
Use of this book as a part of reconciliation process between Sinhalese and Tamils makes this much more than just another book.
Use of this book as a part of reconciliation process between Sinhalese and Tamils makes this much more than just another book.
January 12, 2025
Sri Lankan novelist Nihal de Silva wrote the award-winning novel "The Road from Elephant Pass" in 2003. It is about the 26-year-old Sri Lankan civil war between Sinhalese and Tamils and he was killed by a land mine explosion in the Wilpattu National Park in Sri Lanka on May 28, 2006, thus becoming a victim of Tamil terrorism that he was writing about.
The novel won the 2003 Gratiaen Prize which is a prestigious literary award given for the best English-language creative writing published in Sri Lanka. In the same year, the novel won the State Literary Award for the Best Novel which recognizes excellence in Sri Lankan literature.
The novel explores the complexities of the Sri Lankan civil war. Set against the backdrop of the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers, the story follows the unlikely relationship between Wasantha Ratnayake, a Sinhalese army captain, and Kamala Velaithan, a Tamil woman who was once a high-ranking member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Here are some notable aspects of the novel:
Exploration of the Human Cost of War: The novel delves into the devastating impact of war on individuals and society. It portrays the suffering of ordinary people caught in the crossfire, the loss of innocence, and the psychological trauma experienced by both combatants and civilians.
Complex Characters: The characters are multifaceted and morally ambiguous. Wasantha and Kamala, despite their opposing backgrounds, develop a complex and nuanced relationship that challenges the simplistic narratives of the conflict.
Critique of Nationalism and Extremism: The novel critiques the destructive forces of nationalism and extremism, highlighting how they can lead to violence, dehumanization, and the erosion of human values.
Themes of Love, Loss, and Redemption: Amidst the violence and despair, the novel explores themes of love, loss, and the possibility of redemption. The relationship between Wasantha and Kamala, as well as the personal journeys of other characters, offer glimpses of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Literary Style: De Silva's writing is characterized by its vivid imagery, lyrical prose, and psychological depth. He masterfully captures the atmosphere of war-torn Sri Lanka, creating a sense of immersion and immediacy for the reader.
The very last page gave me goosebumps. It is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a nuanced and unflinching look at the Sri Lankan civil war. It is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the importance of empathy and understanding in overcoming conflict.
The novel won the 2003 Gratiaen Prize which is a prestigious literary award given for the best English-language creative writing published in Sri Lanka. In the same year, the novel won the State Literary Award for the Best Novel which recognizes excellence in Sri Lankan literature.
The novel explores the complexities of the Sri Lankan civil war. Set against the backdrop of the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers, the story follows the unlikely relationship between Wasantha Ratnayake, a Sinhalese army captain, and Kamala Velaithan, a Tamil woman who was once a high-ranking member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Here are some notable aspects of the novel:
Exploration of the Human Cost of War: The novel delves into the devastating impact of war on individuals and society. It portrays the suffering of ordinary people caught in the crossfire, the loss of innocence, and the psychological trauma experienced by both combatants and civilians.
Complex Characters: The characters are multifaceted and morally ambiguous. Wasantha and Kamala, despite their opposing backgrounds, develop a complex and nuanced relationship that challenges the simplistic narratives of the conflict.
Critique of Nationalism and Extremism: The novel critiques the destructive forces of nationalism and extremism, highlighting how they can lead to violence, dehumanization, and the erosion of human values.
Themes of Love, Loss, and Redemption: Amidst the violence and despair, the novel explores themes of love, loss, and the possibility of redemption. The relationship between Wasantha and Kamala, as well as the personal journeys of other characters, offer glimpses of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Literary Style: De Silva's writing is characterized by its vivid imagery, lyrical prose, and psychological depth. He masterfully captures the atmosphere of war-torn Sri Lanka, creating a sense of immersion and immediacy for the reader.
The very last page gave me goosebumps. It is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a nuanced and unflinching look at the Sri Lankan civil war. It is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the importance of empathy and understanding in overcoming conflict.
January 11, 2022
Read this thanks to the university. I'm actually ashamed of myself for not knowing about this. I was spoiled about some scenes, nevertheless I enjoyed the book. The writing was not something that I'd call rich, but it was really binding, easy to follow through and the descriptions were vivid and beautiful. I actually got the chance to visit Jaffna while reading and I applaud him for acing the scenery in writing. Even though more than two decades have passed from where the book has been set, the places were almost the same, some remnants of the war are still there.
Sometimes the book felt a little bit too obvious, in a fake sort of a way. Specially when Wasantha and Kamala overcame almost every obstacle little too easily. But I do not doubt, not even for a fraction of a second, that things mentioned related the civil war weren't faked or exaggerated. I luckily did not experience the civil war heavily and consequently do not remember much about it. But I do remember about my family members', relatives' and friends' tragic and frightening stories, experiences and the footage that we see on the remembrance days of critical moments of the civil war, as I experinced them myself. I really regret that the humanity had to go through such violence and atrocities. The portrayal of the characters and the discussions about war were balanced and done very realistically. I really enjoyed the relationship growth of Wasantha and Kamala.
Until the last few pages I was not sure whether to give this 3.5 or 4 stars. Knowing such things happened in real life, what gone missing and coffins meant sometimes, the last few pages moved me. I was really not expecting it but the tears came running. It's a nice book. I'm really glad that things are over and people are moving and working on to make things better. Eventhough there are differences and people who lack acceptance and conscience, noone deserves to go through such experinece. Hatred, weapons and revenge are never the options of overcoming differences.
Sometimes the book felt a little bit too obvious, in a fake sort of a way. Specially when Wasantha and Kamala overcame almost every obstacle little too easily. But I do not doubt, not even for a fraction of a second, that things mentioned related the civil war weren't faked or exaggerated. I luckily did not experience the civil war heavily and consequently do not remember much about it. But I do remember about my family members', relatives' and friends' tragic and frightening stories, experiences and the footage that we see on the remembrance days of critical moments of the civil war, as I experinced them myself. I really regret that the humanity had to go through such violence and atrocities. The portrayal of the characters and the discussions about war were balanced and done very realistically. I really enjoyed the relationship growth of Wasantha and Kamala.
Until the last few pages I was not sure whether to give this 3.5 or 4 stars. Knowing such things happened in real life, what gone missing and coffins meant sometimes, the last few pages moved me. I was really not expecting it but the tears came running. It's a nice book. I'm really glad that things are over and people are moving and working on to make things better. Eventhough there are differences and people who lack acceptance and conscience, noone deserves to go through such experinece. Hatred, weapons and revenge are never the options of overcoming differences.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2020
First of all, I can understand why this book won the Gratian. Though, I believe it was the English version that won and I was gifted the Sinhala translation. That is not to say the Sinhala translation is lesser. But considering it is not the Author who translated, I don’t think it is fair to judge the English version based on the Sinhala translation. Maybe the Author gave the final nod to it or not. But still, I feel it is unfair. So this review is for the Sinhala Translation only.
Second of all, it has been ages since I read a Sinhala book. Another something I have come to regret. But it also means that this review is based on my subjective feeling of how the story is conveyed to me. Not as something general.
The problem is that the flow of the Sinhala words in this kind of story put me off. It felt as if it went against everything I was taught when I started writing. Which, itself, has influenced how I read and what I love. So it is possible that the rules of English books do not apply for Sinhala books.
The thing is that the heavy words and descriptive sentences somehow managed to remove the tension and suspense that should have been there. Not that there were not moments that I did not feel them. But it felt either rushed or dragged out that they felt loss to me.
The ending felt good but there were things that seemed to have been left out. Twists that were thrown, and little things that were thrown at the reader seemed to disappear without any further thought given.
Second of all, it has been ages since I read a Sinhala book. Another something I have come to regret. But it also means that this review is based on my subjective feeling of how the story is conveyed to me. Not as something general.
The problem is that the flow of the Sinhala words in this kind of story put me off. It felt as if it went against everything I was taught when I started writing. Which, itself, has influenced how I read and what I love. So it is possible that the rules of English books do not apply for Sinhala books.
The thing is that the heavy words and descriptive sentences somehow managed to remove the tension and suspense that should have been there. Not that there were not moments that I did not feel them. But it felt either rushed or dragged out that they felt loss to me.
The ending felt good but there were things that seemed to have been left out. Twists that were thrown, and little things that were thrown at the reader seemed to disappear without any further thought given.
March 9, 2025
This is a story of a gruesome trek, unfolding over two weeks, across enemy compounds inhabited by both humans and animals.
Wasantha Ratnayake, a captain in the Sri Lankan Army, had to ensure the safe passage of Kamala Veleithan, an LTTE activist who possessed vital information crucial to winning the war.
Their journey began from Elephant Pass to Colombo, through Wilpattu National Park.
They maintained a certain routine throughout the trek, but the author crafted the story in a way that this routine felt increasingly adventurous. Even though the same tent was erected day and night, the author avoided making it mundane by introducing new encounters with danger at every turn. Each day brought a different experience.
The wildlife was seamlessly woven into the narrative, highlighting both its beauty and its peril. But in the end, it proved once again that humans, without a doubt, are the most dangerous animals.
The dangers they encountered throughout the journey brought them closer, and if a story were to depict an enemies-to-lovers arc, I don't see how it could be done better.
Although the ending mission felt somewhat abrupt, it made sense not to delve into detail, as Wasantha was not a part of it.
I was hoping for a happy ending, but deep down, I knew it wasn't possible.The last page left me with glistening eyes, reaffirming that Wasantha was a tender-hearted hero, opposed to army brutality, as stated by Kamala again and again.
Wasantha Ratnayake, a captain in the Sri Lankan Army, had to ensure the safe passage of Kamala Veleithan, an LTTE activist who possessed vital information crucial to winning the war.
Their journey began from Elephant Pass to Colombo, through Wilpattu National Park.
They maintained a certain routine throughout the trek, but the author crafted the story in a way that this routine felt increasingly adventurous. Even though the same tent was erected day and night, the author avoided making it mundane by introducing new encounters with danger at every turn. Each day brought a different experience.
The wildlife was seamlessly woven into the narrative, highlighting both its beauty and its peril. But in the end, it proved once again that humans, without a doubt, are the most dangerous animals.
The dangers they encountered throughout the journey brought them closer, and if a story were to depict an enemies-to-lovers arc, I don't see how it could be done better.
Although the ending mission felt somewhat abrupt, it made sense not to delve into detail, as Wasantha was not a part of it.
I was hoping for a happy ending, but deep down, I knew it wasn't possible.The last page left me with glistening eyes, reaffirming that Wasantha was a tender-hearted hero, opposed to army brutality, as stated by Kamala again and again.
June 9, 2019
I watched the movie 'The Road from Elephant Pass' back in 2008; when the country was still engulfed in the flames of war and when I was only 11 years old. The movie made such an impact on me that I still remember even the smallest details of the movie even over a decade later. That's what made me notice the ending being different in the book. The movie gave me closure, and the book left me hanging. I endear happy endings.
I got that out of the system first because that's the only gripe I have with the book; the lack of closure and a happy ending to two people who deserve it the most after going through what they did. The book is near perfect and had me attached to the two main characters throughout. It's a well-written book and Nihal doesn't fear to discuss the deeper foundations of the 30-year war between the country and the LTTE. Nihal makes sure to let the reader know that all of us are responsible for what happened and reading this book a decade after the end of the war, it's even more obvious. Nihal creates the two characters beautifully, developing them little by little and proving that incompatibles are the most compatible.
I still like to imagine that the ending of the movie also happens in the book after the book ends. I endear happy endings, and I think Wasu and Kamala deserve one!
I got that out of the system first because that's the only gripe I have with the book; the lack of closure and a happy ending to two people who deserve it the most after going through what they did. The book is near perfect and had me attached to the two main characters throughout. It's a well-written book and Nihal doesn't fear to discuss the deeper foundations of the 30-year war between the country and the LTTE. Nihal makes sure to let the reader know that all of us are responsible for what happened and reading this book a decade after the end of the war, it's even more obvious. Nihal creates the two characters beautifully, developing them little by little and proving that incompatibles are the most compatible.
I still like to imagine that the ending of the movie also happens in the book after the book ends. I endear happy endings, and I think Wasu and Kamala deserve one!
March 5, 2020
An adventure thriller, a road tale, or rather, jungle journey, of a Sinhala Officer and his Tamil Tigress companion trying to get back to Colombo where she has promised to pass on information which could stop the civil war.
It is set in 2000, a seminal year of attacks and counter attacks on the Sinhala army's barracks at Elephant pass by the LTTE rebels. The two protagonists call a truce on their differences as they plot a dangerous path out of the warzone and through a lawless jungle region.
It won the Gratiaen Prize in 2003 and has since been made into a major movie.
A bit 'boy's own', it is a page-turning, well written story, interspersing vibrant pictures of Sri Lankan jungle with terse then silent, dialogue between the couple, initially sworn enemies, later, briefly, haunted and tragic lovers.
It vividly highlights the extreme beliefs which emerge during wartime and helps the reader understand the long term impact of such a dreadful period on Sri Lanka.
It is set in 2000, a seminal year of attacks and counter attacks on the Sinhala army's barracks at Elephant pass by the LTTE rebels. The two protagonists call a truce on their differences as they plot a dangerous path out of the warzone and through a lawless jungle region.
It won the Gratiaen Prize in 2003 and has since been made into a major movie.
A bit 'boy's own', it is a page-turning, well written story, interspersing vibrant pictures of Sri Lankan jungle with terse then silent, dialogue between the couple, initially sworn enemies, later, briefly, haunted and tragic lovers.
It vividly highlights the extreme beliefs which emerge during wartime and helps the reader understand the long term impact of such a dreadful period on Sri Lanka.
August 13, 2025
The Road from Elephant Pass follows the unlikely journey of a Sinhala army captain and a female LTTE fighter forced to travel together through dangerous territory. At first, the narrative leans heavily towards the Sinhala perspective, with strong criticism of the Tamil struggle. However, as the story develops, the author gives space to the Tamil character’s voice, presenting her arguments with clarity and weight.
The novel touches on themes of trust, prejudice, and survival, and at times offers compelling portrayals of both sides of the Sri Lankan conflict. While some sections felt imbalanced and certain depictions may be contentious, the shift in tone and the dialogue between the two main characters add depth.
An engaging read for those interested in Sri Lanka’s civil war and in exploring different perspectives — though it’s important to approach it with awareness of the political and historical sensitivities it engages with.
The novel touches on themes of trust, prejudice, and survival, and at times offers compelling portrayals of both sides of the Sri Lankan conflict. While some sections felt imbalanced and certain depictions may be contentious, the shift in tone and the dialogue between the two main characters add depth.
An engaging read for those interested in Sri Lanka’s civil war and in exploring different perspectives — though it’s important to approach it with awareness of the political and historical sensitivities it engages with.
January 15, 2018
Got this book for me on my last trip to Colombo and what a read it has turned out to be. A thrilling story of hate, conflict, life, death, survival, relationship, love and much more. A story with a plot from 26th March -29th April 2000 offers us such a humane side of a conflict and how love and honor prevail. The book flows so well and unpredictably thrilling. I just did not want to read chapter 30 because I did not want to know or perhaps I was too scared about the how the story ends. To those who feel the story beyond plain narration, its a must read.
October 11, 2023
Truly intriguing novel that captures the unseen sides or the sides we civilians refuse to see. From the plot line to characterization, the novel sums up a dark side of war. Truly, the author is talented and mangaged to leave the reader in a mind-boggling state.
April 12, 2018
Very slow to start, but was a good yarn by half way through.
June 3, 2019
one of the saddest things is that most people haven't heard of this book much less read this.
August 25, 2019
Aww what a love story!
December 12, 2019
Interesting perspective on both sides of Sri Lanka’s civil war and natural beauty.
October 7, 2020
I cannot tell about this book without robbing you of its surprises. READ. And then tell me I am right.
February 10, 2025
A strong story and characters well drawn. The insights to the conflict in Sri Lanka make this an important piece of work.
June 12, 2025
Such a great read!
September 28, 2025
read for my first graduate class. An action adventure through a worldview lens.
January 6, 2013
The Road from Elephant Pass won the Graetian Prize in 2003. Which doesn't necessarily mean that it's amazing, just perhaps slightly better than its Sri Lankan counterparts (please don't come after me with pointy sticks).
Anyway, I first saw the film directed by Chandran Rutnam and starring Ashan Dias and Suranga Ranawaka on a bumpy bus from Kandy. It intrigued me enough to want to get hold of the book, but everyone I asked how it was would go 'ehhh... it's OK.'
Luckily, I found an old copy lying around at home. So this story deals with the war, and also, somewhat fancifully, with reconciliation.
Captain Wasantha Rathnayake is stationed in the North when he is commanded to bring in an LTTE cadre (Kamala Velaithan) who has surrendered and is willing to provide valuable information. He goes to pick her up by a checkpoint, and then disaster strikes when the massive camp near Elephant Pass is attacked. The two then go on a risky route cross-country in a bid to arrive in Colombo and relay Kamala's information to the military bigwigs there.
I enjoyed this book more than I was expecting. Having said that, I wasn't always a fan of the writing style. But the subject matter was very interesting. First of all, it takes the reader on a looping journey through Jaffna and Wilpattu National Park, pursued by all manner of enemies- areas which weren't easily accessible to the general public during the war. De Silva also approaches the subject of reconciliation, as the Sinhalese Army officer begins to warm to the cadre Velaithan, who is tough but intelligent.
It was an interesting way to look at the two very different viewpoints of the Sinhalese and Tamils; the tipping point which each saw as the reason to hate and fear the other, even if the issues discussed aren't exactly new and have in fact been debated to death in every national newspaper and quite a few other novels as well. It also challenges the status quo many people from both sides blindly accepted (in fact, continues to accept).
Anyway, this is pretty much a must-read if you want to brush up on local authors. It's a good read as well.
Anyway, I first saw the film directed by Chandran Rutnam and starring Ashan Dias and Suranga Ranawaka on a bumpy bus from Kandy. It intrigued me enough to want to get hold of the book, but everyone I asked how it was would go 'ehhh... it's OK.'
Luckily, I found an old copy lying around at home. So this story deals with the war, and also, somewhat fancifully, with reconciliation.
Captain Wasantha Rathnayake is stationed in the North when he is commanded to bring in an LTTE cadre (Kamala Velaithan) who has surrendered and is willing to provide valuable information. He goes to pick her up by a checkpoint, and then disaster strikes when the massive camp near Elephant Pass is attacked. The two then go on a risky route cross-country in a bid to arrive in Colombo and relay Kamala's information to the military bigwigs there.
I enjoyed this book more than I was expecting. Having said that, I wasn't always a fan of the writing style. But the subject matter was very interesting. First of all, it takes the reader on a looping journey through Jaffna and Wilpattu National Park, pursued by all manner of enemies- areas which weren't easily accessible to the general public during the war. De Silva also approaches the subject of reconciliation, as the Sinhalese Army officer begins to warm to the cadre Velaithan, who is tough but intelligent.
It was an interesting way to look at the two very different viewpoints of the Sinhalese and Tamils; the tipping point which each saw as the reason to hate and fear the other, even if the issues discussed aren't exactly new and have in fact been debated to death in every national newspaper and quite a few other novels as well. It also challenges the status quo many people from both sides blindly accepted (in fact, continues to accept).
Anyway, this is pretty much a must-read if you want to brush up on local authors. It's a good read as well.
November 12, 2014
this book was very hard to read because hindsite being 20-20 and all. It was very painful because having been to sri lanka, being familiar with the area, knowing about the struggle, it was a book that was very close to my heart. Knowing that the author had a keen love of wildlife and nature, and knowing of his love of wilpattu national park, you can really see it in the book. He kind of reminded me of Tom Thomson and Algonquin Park, so many similarities. How their art reflected their love of nature, and how this love eventually was responsible in some way for their demise. The fact that the author was killed by a bomb blast in the park, is a very bitter pill to swallow. The book depicts the park as being full of natural dangers, namely animals, and yet in real life, it is the conflict that he writes about that in the end kills him. Very very sad. The book, taken by itself, well im biased, write a book about sri lanka and im bound to love it, the book is all about the natural beauty of sri lanka, which despite the tsunami and the war, the country is still magnificent. Boy meets girl,, boy loves girl, boy dies, sad. books about sri lanka always seem to have that bittersweetness about them, i have no idea why (war and poverty probably, combined with immense beauty) but the fact that this book was written before the end of the war (another very sad event, given Kamala's belief that they would never give up) puts the book in that context that we kind of know how the story will play out before we get to the end. Well worth reading, and when I go to sri lanka again, I will go to the park and try and see it through the eyes of the author.
December 17, 2015
Excuse the crudity of this review; Just got back into reading. Bought this book from a second-hand book shop, enjoyed every page the author keeps the reader stuck to the book, can’t believe I read it this quick.The author takes us on journey with enough of details that allows to imagine every scene vividly. One has to appreciate the imagination of the author. Way the author conveys the relationships between the characters throughout the book is just great. Highly recommend everyone this great piece work by Nihal De Silva, may he rest in peace. Basic plot of the book is Sri Lankan army captain Wasantha is given orders to escort Velaithan a woman who claims to process practical information to stop the war, and the book goes through their journey back to colombo in the harsh environment and facing challenging obstacles.
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