Finding a Place for Residence; IDPS Remaining with Host Communities: A Case of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka's civil conflict that affected for more than three decades came to end in May 2009 with the LTTE being militarily defeated by the armed forces of Sri Lanka. There are many missed issues that need to be addressed in the present context of Sri Lanka, especially in terms of return and resettlement process. The study focuses on the process of resettlement in North-Central areas in Sri Lanka in post conflict period. The study set out to investigate the varied factors that affected Internal Displaced Persons‘ (IDPs‘) willingness to remain with host communities. The aim was to understand factors that attracted the IDPs to remain in the host communities and places. Within this context, the study examines the nature of IDPs‘ socio-economic and political relationships with the host communities. This study establishes how these social, economic and security factors affected the IDPs to remain in host community/area. Out of various relevant factors, this study has especially considered socio-economic factors. The study finds that there is degree bond which acts as pull factor for the IDPs to be more willing to stay in the host area. There is no single reason affecting the IDPs‘ decision to return or remain but rather it is a combination of several key factors. The research for this study is based on qualitative methods, and data for the research have been collected using primary as well as secondary sources of data. There are two villages selected (82 IDP families and 124 host families) for the study with host communities among the other villages in the area. The qualitative data were collected in this study through interviews, including long interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. 20 IDP families and 15 host families for long interviews, 8 focus group discussion with IDPs and host families along with 4 key informant interviews. Secondary sources have been used to help interpret the primary data.