Abstract:
The central theme of this paper is to bring about a new framework to the connection
between security and reconciliation for ethnic' reconciliation in the issue of
rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants after the lengthy war in Sri Lanka.
Regarding the issue of security which had severe psychological impacts, bringing
genuine reconciliation seems to be an extremely challenging task. Reconciliation in this
study is understood as a way for transforming conflict and facilitating psychological
change that can lead to stable peace. Due to the link between security and reconciliation,
this paper strongly emphasizes that neglecting the feeling of insecurity will lead to more
hardships and challenges in promoting reconciliation in post-war periods. This is
evident when looking at the current situation in Sri Lanka, because, the main causes
and effects are due to security elements which flared up negative attitudes among the
different ethnic groups. This is an obstruction for reconciliation. Therefore, constructive
efforts that are needed will undoubtedly facilitate psychological changes within the
ethnic groups. This paper argues that with regard to the issue of security, the
psychological impacts of the different ethnic groups have still not been transformed in
a positive way. Therefore, it has become a factor hindering the promotion of a true
reconciliation process. Though the government has taken measures for the betterment
of the current situation, this study found that those measures are not feasible enough to
be implemented due to security sequences.
