Sri Lanka's Developmental Path to Reconciliation: Narratives and Counter-Narratives from the Margins

Abstract

Reconciliation brings adversaries together to find non-violent ways to transform their destructive social relationships through the practice of truth, mercy, justice and peace (Lederach 1997: 29-30). With aims of transforming problematic relationships between individuals and groups and creating a safe environment for war-time victims and perpetrators to work together towards a shared future, reconciliation features elements of conflict prevention as well as conflict transformation (Kelman 2008; Lederach 1997). Since reconciliation involves social and psychosocial dimensions (Abu-Nimer 2001; Charbonneau and Parent 2013) and spiritual, theological and religious dimensions (Galtung 2001: 4), there is often a contention in finding an ideal path and means of moving to reconciliation.