Pro-factors Delaying Post-war Reconciliation in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Although it has been reported that the civil war which was prevailed for nearly three decades in Sri Lanka is over, the scholarly studies in the field have highlighted that even after around 11 years, the post-war reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is still facing numerous challenges. This study was conducted to investigate the factors that contribute to the hindrance of the reconciliation process between Sinhala and Tamil ethnic communities in Sri Lanka. The study employed a mixed-method approach where both the qualitative and quantitative data were gathered and analyzed. The literature review of the study is directed to place the study on a theoretical foundation based on sustainable reconciliation. Primary data were collected from a sample of both Sinhala and Tamil ethnic communities that were directly affected by the civil war. The gathered data were triangulated by verifying from various sources including key informant interviews and records of events. Data analysis were done through the thematic method. Qualitative data were analyzed using explanatory and content analysis methods while the quantitative data were analyzed using simple statistical calculations such as means and percentages. The findings of the study highlighted that the ethnic reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is facing challenges mainly due to lack of understanding of each other, inadequacy of political will to sort out the issue and socio-cultural factors including psychological factors that have not been solved for a long time.