Kanavu sirai' shares the endless sufferings of the Srilankan Tamils for more than 70 years, through many wars and violence. The wars destroyed the lives, hopes and dreams of the normal people, especially women, who lived in the island Naiyina theevu in North Srilanka. This story, doesn't stop with the description of the disasters of war. It also questions its morality and politics, which are implicitly involved. This novel is a narration by a woman, who witnessed the violence of war that left a scar in her. This novel is filled with the tears of women who went in search of their sons and loved ones. It also describes the racism that prevailed after the final war.