Anil's Name

The name “Anil” which originally belonged to Anil’s brother before she bought it from him represents Anil’s strong will and determined nature. Anil is determined to make her own way in the world, rather than following the path that has been set out for her.

"Sailor"

Although Sailor is eventually identified as a real person named Ruwan Kumara, the skeleton that Anil and Sarath nickname “Sailor” is treated more as an object throughout Anil’s Ghost than as a subject. As Anil herself believes and suggests multiple times in the novel, Sailor represents the many men and women that have been executed extrajudicially in the civil war. Thus, their efforts to seek justice for Sailor is an effort to seek justice for all these men and women.

Amphetamines

The amphetamines that Gamini relies upon to keep himself awake and alert during his long...