What are atrocity crimes, why and when do they arise, and how can peacebuilding practice help to prevent them? This report delves into the conceptual foundations of reconciliation and atrocity prevention in the context of Sri Lanka’s history of conflict and ongoing reconciliation process, analyzing institutional-level reconciliation efforts and drawing from a randomized field experiment in an interpersonal reconciliation program. It suggests that by understanding the conditions under which reconciliation is most effective, peacebuilding practice will be better placed to achieve its goals after violent conflict.

Summary

  • Reconciliation and atrocity prevention are often assumed to complement and reinforce each other in peacebuilding. Evidence shows that countries with a violent past are at increased risk of future atrocity, and reconciliation practice seeks to build relationships destroyed by violence. The logic of atrocity prevention through reconciliation in countries that have previously experienced widespread violence remains largely untested, however.
  • Sri Lanka’s long history of violence and atrocities increases the risk for atrocity to recur. Based on a randomized experiment and qualitative analysis in-country, this report finds that reconciliation practices in Sri Lanka may serve only a limited immediate purpose in preventing mass atrocities, but lays the groundwork for long-term mitigation of atrocity risk.
  • Some institutional reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka have addressed atrocity risks at the national and intergroup level, but require credible promises and full implementation of proposed policies.
  • The interpersonal reconciliation practice tested through a randomized field experiment at the University of Colombo may have limited impact on attitudes related to atrocity risk due to a short program timeline and the risk of selection bias.
  • The study illustrates the significant challenges facing efforts to evaluate atrocity prevention practice—among them how widely the findings of one case study can be applied, establishing valid and accurate survey questions to measure attitudes, and isolating the effects of institutional mechanisms and determining causality.
  • By understanding, beyond assumptions and anecdotal impressions, the conditions under which reconciliation can best help reduce the risk of future atrocities preventive practice can more effectively achieve lasting peace following violent conflict.

About the Report

This report focuses on reconciliation practice in Sri Lanka, a country representative of related successes and challenges, to assess its impact on preventing mass atrocity and the logic of prevention through reconciliation. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes a field experiment, interviews, and analysis of secondary data sources, the report is a follow-up to a 2015 Peaceworks, “Reconciliation in Practice,” spearheaded by the Center for Applied Research on Conflict at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). Data collection for this report was supported by the Social Scientists’ Association, a Sri Lankan–based NGO.

About the Author

Kate Lonergan is a PhD candidate with the Hugo Valentin Centre and the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University. Her research focuses on reconciliation and peacebuilding after mass violence and atrocities.

Related Publications

Indian Ocean Basing and Access: How Smaller States Navigate Major Power Competition

Indian Ocean Basing and Access: How Smaller States Navigate Major Power Competition

Thursday, August 10, 2023

By: Nilanthi Samaranayake

In late July, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe traveled to New Delhi to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trip addressed several important issues, such as greater connectivity. However, there was one item on the agenda that did not receive much media attention despite its potential impact on Indian Ocean regional security: Sri Lanka’s new standard operating procedure (SOP) to determine which military and non-military ships and aircraft may visit the country.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

A Year After Mass Protests, Sri Lanka’s Governance Crisis Continues

A Year After Mass Protests, Sri Lanka’s Governance Crisis Continues

Thursday, July 20, 2023

By: Nishan de Mel;  Nilanthi Samaranayake;  Ambika Satkunanathan

One year after the Sri Lanka’s massive unrest, known as the Aragalaya protests, the country is still dealing with the aftermath of its most devastating economic crisis since independence, a government without popular support and intensifying geopolitical competition in its neighborhood. The protests, spurred by the economic crisis, led to mass resignations across the government with former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country in July 2022. In the year since, the country has secured an IMF agreement, and its economy has ambled toward a slow path of recovery. However, there have still been concerns on the human rights front as the current government of Ranil Wickremesinghe has clamped down on further protests and continually postponed elections.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceEconomics

The Latest @ USIP: Why Partnerships Between Women and Civil Society Matter

The Latest @ USIP: Why Partnerships Between Women and Civil Society Matter

Thursday, June 22, 2023

By: Sanam Naraghi Anderlini

From Sri Lanka to Uganda, women in civil society have been the driving force behind some of the most effective mediation efforts in conflict areas. Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, MBE, founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network, discusses the three components that make up a successful partnership between women and civil society: recognition of women peacebuilders' expertise, solutions and analysis; protection for women that risk their lives; and effective resourcing and funding so that they can build trust within their communities.

Type: Blog

GenderPeace Processes

Tamanna Salikuddin on the Crisis in Sri Lanka

Tamanna Salikuddin on the Crisis in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

By: Tamanna Salikuddin

Despite loosening former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa family's powerful grip on Sri Lankan politics, there's still "a crisis of legitimacy in the country, where people see the leadership can’t deliver" on issues like reconciliation, political reform and addressing the devastating economic crisis, says USIP's Tamanna Salikuddin.

Type: Podcast

Global Policy

View All Publications