Opinion: Sri Lanka's tryst with reconciliation: Where are we today

Abstract

While a plethora of approaches are currently being undertaken towards post-war Sri Lanka by both international and domestic communities, a process of constructive engagement with issues – that will not serve as damning indictments but rather as positive and hopeful stimuli that can inspire action – ought to be recommended. Confrontational and adversarial approaches are known to push back most prospects of democratic governance and national reconciliation in post-war contexts the world over. Hence, what becomes imperative in such contexts is the devising of innovative and creative strategies that can rebuild confidences between stakeholders to national governance processes and further, with international mechanisms. To this end, developing a climate of comfort for open and honest dialogue can be a valuable starting point. A positive approach to engaging the issues of national governance and reconciliation can undoubtedly lead to even greater engagement of stakeholders by making it clear to all of the value in having a say in the course that is being chartered for the future of their country.