Role of civil society in post – war democracy building in Sri Lanka: Reflections and lessons

Abstract

ABSTRACT The role of civil society during and after the Presidential Elections of 2015 in Sri Lanka created a new era in democracy-building. Civil society played a decisive role in bringing the National Unity Government (NUG) into power in 2015 and revived the space for civil society to consolidate democracy with much waited reforms in the political and governance spheres amidst challenges on the part of ethno-religious forces. The article thus explores the role played by CSOs in building democracy during NUG (2015–2019). The article demonstrates that, while Sri Lanka’s CSOs made significant progress toward democratic consolidation during the NUG, there is still a long way to go to ensure that a democratic political culture pervades all aspects of citizens’ lives which is possible only through political institutionalization. Despite Sri Lanka’s democratic accomplishments since 1931, efforts to consolidate democracy face challenges that have the potential to derail the gains made in the democratic consolidation process. The article claims that the single most critical factor in the consolidation of democracy is not only civil society but also political institutionalization. Though the article focuses on Sri Lanka, it does provide lessons for other developing countries that encounter democratic recession.