Authors : Mohammad Agus Yusoff, Nordin Hussin, Athambawa Sarjoon, Dori Efendi and Badrul Azmier
Abstract: Bringing the 30 years old civil war permanently to an end in Sri Lanka is not a fairy tale but the success story of a small non-military-based country in this modern global village. The triumph in defeating the infamous liberation tiger of Tamil Eelam or LTTE has belittled super powers worldwide campaigns in the global fight against terrorism that transgress borders and threatens sovereignty. Thus, the success of Sri Lanka in eliminating terrorism is relatively massive and record-breaking in its history; the once war-torn and divided island-nation in the Indian Ocean has experienced thriving recovery in spite of the near absence of foreign assistance within the 5 years post-civil war tenure. Yet, various challenges have surfaced to curtail the post-war transition process which attempt to bring equilibrium to the local and global interests. Hence, this study aims to examine the policies on the implementation of the peace and democratization efforts and to discuss on the post-civil war transitional matters of the government of Sri Lanka in accommodating local and global interests. The research finds the partial attitude of the local and the international actors in fully acknowledging the peace in the country as a success and the positive impacts of the post-civil war transition process for the betterment of mankind. Another finding indicates three prevalent internal and external impeding factors to realize the total success of the peace endeavor; the revival of ethno-nationalism; the role of neighboring India (Tamil Nadu) as a regional power; the policy of Tamil diaspora and the establishment of a local Tamil political party. Hence, concerted efforts like the attention and the assistance of the international community; the undivided supports from Tamil political forces and the positive attitude of the Sinhalese nationalists to have peace and harmonious environment are duly recommended to achieve an all-inclusive and sustainable post-civil war transition process in Sri Lanka.
Mohammad Agus Yusoff, Nordin Hussin, Athambawa Sarjoon, Dori Efendi and Badrul Azmier, 2015. From the Era of Civil War to Peace and Democratization: Sri Lanka in Transition. The Social Sciences, 10: 510-519.