Sashi is a thoughtful and determined Tamil teenager who follows in the footsteps of her grandfather and eldest brother by pursuing a medical education. She feels a deep sense of responsibility for her family's safety and experiences intense empathy for those suffering in the escalating conflict around her. As she trains to become a physician, her desire to heal directly conflicts with the surrounding political violence.

K is a highly intelligent, charismatic older boy living in Sashi's Jaffna neighborhood. Known for his distinctive dark eyes and academic brilliance, he originally plans to become a doctor. As political tensions rise, his ambition shifts from medicine to ideological action, drawing him toward the militant Tamil separatist movements.

Anjali is an outspoken, brilliant medical professor and practicing doctor. She identifies as a Marxist and encourages her students to think independently and challenge authority. Intimidating yet warm, she treats her students as equals, asks them to call her "Acca" (big sister), and openly criticizes both government forces and militant groups.

Niranjan is the eldest Kulenthiren sibling, affectionately called "Periannai" by his family. He practices medicine in Colombo and lives with their grandmother. Quiet and highly principled, he actively detests the rigid social hierarchies of the caste system and encourages his younger sister to develop critical thinking skills.

Dayalan is Sashi's poetic and dreamy older brother. He loves literature and working with his hands. He is acutely aware of the injustices facing the Tamil people and responds to the growing unrest by seeking ways to fight for their rights, leading to his eventual radicalization.

Seelan is Sashi's hot-tempered but charming older brother. He frequently studies alongside K and expresses strong opinions about the political marginalization of the Tamil minority. He grows increasingly impatient with peaceful resolutions, pushing him toward the militant movements.

Aran is Sashi's youngest brother, characterized by his bright, inquisitive nature and emotional maturity. He carefully observes the political radicalization of the young men around him and remains deeply skeptical of violence, choosing a more stoic path than his older siblings.

Amma is the matriarch of the Kulenthiren family, working tirelessly to protect her five children during a period of intense civil unrest. She takes an active community role by joining the Mother's Front to advocate for young Tamil men who are targeted and detained by government forces.

Sashi's father is a government surveyor who speaks Sinhalese and frequently travels across Sri Lanka. He supports nonviolent political separation and admires leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. His prolonged absences often leave his family to face local dangers alone.

Sashi's grandmother is a widow living in Sri Lanka's capital city. Having survived previous historical riots, she is acutely aware of the dangers facing Tamil citizens and acts quickly to protect her family when violence erupts in her neighborhood.

Varathan is an academic who works alongside his wife, Anjali, at the university. He is deeply committed to human rights and channels his geographical expertise into secretly documenting the realities of the escalating war.

Known respectfully as "Sir," Rajan Master is a renowned teacher in Jaffna who attended school with Sashi's father. He organizes community events, including cricket matches, and represents the intellectual tradition of the Tamil community.

Hasna is Sashi's first friend in Colombo and the only Muslim student in their class. As an outsider herself, she quickly bonds with Sashi and offers critical support during moments of violent civil unrest in the capital.

Josie is a medical student paired with Sashi for anatomy labs. She is widely rumored to be dating a prominent militant leader, which makes her classmates act extremely cautiously around her.

T— is the regional leader of the Tamil Tigers. He coordinates the militant group's medical and logistical operations, operating with absolute authority over his subordinates and the local civilian population.

Niroshan is a young militant fighter associated with K. He seeks emergency medical help outside the official hospital system to avoid drawing government attention to his injuries.

Thambirajah is an older medical student who holds strong nationalist views. He works alongside Sashi in a discreet medical capacity, representing the highly politicized nature of the university's student body.

Priya is a young woman from a village in Jaffna who seeks medical care following a severe assault by soldiers. Like Sashi, she has four brothers, but her family has suffered immense and devastating losses due to the ongoing conflict.

Saras Aunty is a local Jaffna resident who is pressured by militants to cook massive quantities of food for their soldiers, illustrating the heavy burdens placed on civilians.

Hasna's Mother is a Muslim woman living in Colombo. She remembers Sashi's mother fondly from their shared school days, passing that goodwill down to her daughter.