Reconciliation in Retrospect: The Past, Present, and Future of Reconciliation in Sri Lanka

Abstract: Over a decade since the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka, reconciliation remains contentious. What are the challenges and prospects of reconciliation? This study addresses this question by systematically analysing scholarly work published between 2002 and 2022 to identify common themes and knowledge gaps. Previous studies underscore several factors that undermine reconciliation efforts, including the top-down approach to peacebuilding, institutionalized racism, the lack of political will by successive governments, and the marginalizing tendencies within the political system. Reconciliation in Sri Lanka may benefit from a better understanding of the government discourses vis-à-vis Tamil aspirations, the economic dimensions related to reconciliation, the role of education in bridging ethnic divides, and the contribution of the Tamil diaspora to reconciliation. Through a systematic analysis of existing scholarship, this study maps dominant themes, highlights knowledge gaps, and synthesizes key challenges, thereby advancing understanding of both the challenges and prospects for reconciliation in Sri Lanka.