For four years, Europe and the world at large was plunged in darkness when the Great War or the First World War began in 1914. Rivalry among the great European powers was the main cause for this conflagration. 

Great Britain was fortunate enough to have been the first industrialised country in Europe and the world. Soon thereafter countries like Germany, France and the United States of America became her competitors. The industrial revolution created a new policy of imperialism whereby there was a scramble for colonies in Asia and Africa for raw materials and new markets to sustain their industries. The resulting rivalry led to a build-up of arms.

Germany, Austria and Italy formed the Triple Alliance and Great Britain, France and Russia joined forces under an alliance called the Triple Entente. At this time of international tension, in which the countries were feverishly arming themselves, the spark that ignited the flames was the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria by a fanatic in Sarajewo.

Serbia tried its best to convince Austria of its non-complicity in the assassination. But Austria declared war on Serbia and Russia being a traditional champion of the Slavs, ordered the mobilisation of its forces. Germany invaded Belgium in order to send her troops into France. As a member of the Triple Entente, France was obliged to enter the war and seized the opportunity to take revenge for her defeat in the Franco-German War of 1870.There was then a great outcry in Britain against the violation of Belgium’s neutrality and Britain declared war against Germany on August 4, 1914 marking the commencement of World War I.

There were many theatres of war but most of the fighting was in France, Italy, Belgium, Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Iran. About 70 million soldiers were believed to have been mobilized by both sides and 13 million perished in action. 
The U.S.A. which kept away from alliances was the last to join the war. Dozens of other countries too joined the fray. Elaborate efforts were made in the warring countries to whip up enthusiasm and patriotism among their people. The press and radio played a great part in this propaganda drive. Even intellectuals and religious leaders became full-time patriots and nationalists. All this activity led to a glorification of war. As a result people from all walks of life volunteered to defend their countries.

Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was called then) was a Colony of the British Empire during this period, and the enthusiasm for a British (or allied) victory in the war knew no bounds. Quite a number of Ceylonese joined the Ceylon Light Infantry or other regiments to fight the war. They did not fight for material gain but for the love of their country. 

The first contingent of volunteers for active service travelled in the French ship “Villa de Ia Ciotat”. This ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by a German submarine. This was the first time submarines were used in war. Fourteen Ceylonese died in this attack on December 24, 1915.

The first Sri Lankan to be killed in action in this war was Lt. G.C.B. Loos, son of F.C. Loos, Member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon who was a member of 3rd Worcester Regiment. Governor Robert Chalmer’s son Lt. Chalmers also died in action. 
Among the Ceylonese who died in action are J. Loos, W.E. Speldewinde, C.F. Kent, Lt. C.G.B. Loos, A.C.K. d’ Silva, Maj R.E.E. Kriekenbeck, D.J. Lorensz, C.H.S. de Saram, C.H. Kate, F. Ludovinci, H.E.W. Staples CLI, G.P. Stirling, C.L. Mellonious, H. St John, L.G. Tussaint, J.B. Moldrich, W.P. de Alwis, L.G. de Vos, S.P.M. Nell, A. Aiyadurai CLI, L. de Vos, F. Obeysekara, E.L. Brohier, C.W. de Vos, G. Paktsun, F. Drieberg, H.A.E de Vos CLI, A. Paramananthan CLI, E.F. Edema, G.J.C. Van Rooyen, G.F. Perera, H.C. Foster, H.G. Van Sanden CLI, S.O.L. Pereira, G.A.H. Gibson, W. Whittle, S. Ramanathan, Lt. R. Joseph, A.C. Wijekoon, S.L.V. Remers, M.D. Janz, W. Weerakoon, K. Redlich, C.B. Joachim, A.J. Wells, R. Robertson, 2/Lt HGH Jan, R. St John CLI, P.C. Sirisena, H.R. Jacotine CLI, B.S. Hemachandra CLI.

These names are engraved on the First World War Memorial at Viharamahadevi Park and Kanatte Cemetery. It is said that 49 Ceylonese and 276 Britons (from Ceylon) died in action. 

After four years of bitter fighting, the war ended with an Armistice between the warring sides on the November 11, 1918. The fallen and wounded are remembered on this day called “Remembrance Day” with parades, religious ceremonies and sale of poppies (made of red cloth).