Socio-economic reintegration of former LTTE combatants in Sri Lanka: self-employment, sustainable incomes and long-term peace

Abstract

Based on individual interviews with male and female ex-combatants of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have reintegrated into society through a Sri Lankan government sponsored self-employment loan scheme, this study evaluates the success of these ex-combatants in adapting to their new way of life. The paper fills a significant gap in international literature on self-employed ex-combatants and is one of the first studies on ex-combatants of the LTTE after the end of the war in May 2009. The study finds that the ex-combatants have largely been unable to improve their economic wellbeing, and therefore experience economic difficulties. Many have been unable to undertake their micro-businesses successfully due to injuries, poor skills, and inadequate access to markets and loans for other purposes. Though most were happier than they were during their time with the LTTE due to the ‘absence of fear’ and improved family life, they were dissatisfied with their current economic situation. Importantly, the study found a strong correlation between economic wellbeing and their perception of long-term peace. Thus, the paper recommends that more effort be made to ensure that economic difficulties are dealt with to ensure sustainable peace in the country.