Photo courtesy of Kumanan
The Sri Lanka Barometer (SLB) has published the results of a three year survey on reconciliation examining eight critical dimensions: accountable governance, addressing the past, identity and belonging, trust, justice for all, security and wellbeing, equality and opportunity and active citizenship.
The survey provided a comprehensive look at the ongoing reconciliation process among the country’s ethnic communities. In an interview with Groundviews, Natasha Palnasuriya, Research and Advisory Lead for the Sri Lanka Barometer Initiative, “It’s the politics that divides, not the people.” Despite deep ethnic divisions, she noted that personal connections across communities remained largely intact.
The National Public Opinion Survey on Reconciliation sheds light on the nation’s progress towards reconciliation, reflecting how Sri Lankans perceive this complex journey amid evolving political and economic landscapes. Despite significant challenges, the demand for reconciliation remains robust, underscoring its continued relevance.
The survey’s findings reveal a high national demand for reconciliation with a mean score of 7.9 out of 10 across ethnic groups – Sinhalese (7.9), Sri Lankan Tamils (8.1), Up Country Tamils (8.0) and Muslims (8.1). This enduring interest highlights the population’s commitment to unity and healing even in the face of post-war turbulence. However, perceptions of progress remain moderate, with a national mean score of 6.0, reflecting a slight decline. Sri Lankan Tamils, in particular, express slightly lower optimism (5.8).
When asked about the essence of reconciliation, over a third of respondents (35.6%) pointed to unity and positive inter group relations. Yet, 21.5% lamented a perceived lack of reconciliation, signalling mixed sentiments.
Barriers to reconciliation: A political and social analysis
The report identifies political factors such as divisive politics and a lack of political will as the most significant obstacles to reconciliation (53.6%). Discrimination and marginalisation based on ethnicity, religion, language and caste rank second (15.4%), with minority communities particularly attuned to these issues – Sri Lankan Tamils (26.8%) and Muslims (18.5%) report higher perceptions of such barriers.
Economic inequality also emerges as a concern with 11.3% identifying it as a key impediment. Over half of the population (48.7%) views language as the main barrier to associating with other ethnic groups, a challenge most acutely felt in the Northern Province (74.6%).
Social trust between identity groups has improved by 0.8 points since 2020, suggesting progress in interpersonal relationships. However, tolerance towards other groups has declined significantly, dropping by 1.3 points since 2021, a trend observed across all ethnicities.
Religious intolerance remains a moderate concern (national mean score: 4.5) with the Northern Province reporting the lowest levels of tolerance (3.0) and the Western Province the highest (5.0).
Political trust stands at a moderate 5.9 nationally but has risen significantly in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, reflecting increasing confidence in state responsiveness. Citizens also report moderate levels of internal political efficacy (6.1) although this has declined slightly since 2020. External political efficacy, or perceptions of state responsiveness, remains high at 7.7, particularly in the Northern Province (8.5).
The survey underscores the intertwined nature of reconciliation and economic factors. Social and political tensions exacerbated by crises such as the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis have blurred the lines between economic recovery and social healing.
The SLB survey offers granular insights, revealing diverse needs and priorities across geographies and communities, often rooted in distinct wartime and post-war experiences. For example, support for memorialisation – a critical aspect of reconciliation – is highest in the Northern (8.1) and Eastern (7.4) Provinces, exceeding the national average of 7.1.
Similarly, perspectives on reparations vary by region with 31.4% advocating for compensations related to human rights violations and widowhood, reflecting localised grievances and aspirations.
The SLB findings underscore the importance of an integrated approach to reconciliation. While interpersonal trust shows promise, political and structural barriers persist. The findings also highlight contradictions such as strong public support for reconciliation institutions despite moderate trust in them and limited familiarity with their workings.
In this context, the path to reconciliation requires a holistic strategy that addresses not just political and social dynamics but also economic disparities. Bridging these divides is essential for fostering a shared national identity, a goal supported by consistently high national mean scores (7.8) across all ethnic groups.
The SLB held an event to make the survey findings tangible by connecting the data with the voices of the people. A wide ranging discussion unfolded around efforts towards ethnic reconciliation and social cohesion in the aftermath of the civil war. Participants examined the extent to which efforts to heal divisions between the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities have succeeded and what obstacles remained in the pursuit of lasting harmony.
Key initiatives such as government policies, truth and reconciliation commissions and civil society efforts were explored as tools to bridge the deep divides left by the civil war. Panelists discussed the successes and limitations of these efforts in fostering unity.
One of the most significant challenges discussed was the rebuilding of trust among various ethnic groups. Conversations delved into how the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities currently perceive one another, particularly in light of past grievances and addressed the need for accountability in wartime atrocities, which continues to be a sensitive and contentious issue.
Discussions also explored how these communities are being integrated into the broader economic and social fabric of the nation and highlighted key areas such as education, employment and regional development with an emphasis on creating equal opportunities for all ethnic groups to participate in economic growth.
Participants spoke about the role of political leaders in promoting reconciliation and the policies needed to address the historical inequalities and grievances that persist. Particular attention was given to the Tamil community’s calls for greater autonomy and political representation as well as the broader efforts to decentralise power.
There were insights into how the general public views the progress of reconciliation. Through surveys and interviews, participants gained a sense of the prevailing public sentiment regarding ethnic unity and whether Sri Lankans believe that meaningful progress has been made.
While some progress has been made, numerous challenges remain. Speakers highlighted the persistent influence of hardline nationalistic sentiments and ongoing issues regarding the protection of minority rights. The need for greater transparency in addressing wartime human rights violations was also emphasised as an essential component of the reconciliation process.