Applicability of International Peace Making Models to the Post War Era of Sri Lanka.

Abstract

This research is based on the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict. Although it is said that there was no ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka it is an obvious fact that there was a long fought civil war in Sri Lanka. This research study finds out the progress of the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka after its end in 2009 and whether it is well implemented or not and thereby to find out an international peace keeping model for Sri Lankan ethnic conflict which will be a new light reevaluate the conflict. The research objectives of this research are to identify the nature of Sri Lankan peace process, to identify the reasons for its failure and to identify the applicability of international peace keeping models on Sri Lankan peace process. This research is based on descriptive research method. The research assesses the past of the conflict, the current context and future trends. This research analyzes both primary data collected by interviews using semi-structured interview method and a questionnaire method and secondary data. But this research is heavily based on secondary data from internet, journals, books and newspapers. These data have then been analyzed using several theories of international relations, political studies, psychology and social studies. The research has been done in several levels of analysis. First the multi-ethnic nature of Sri Lanka has been taken into account while drawing comparisons from similar countries in the world faced with ethnic conflict and investigating what measure have been taken by them. In this regard, the post-apartheid movements in South Africa, America and the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet have been evaluated. Secondly, the study explores the presence of nationalist and humanitarian revolutionary factors in Sri Lanka. Thirdly, it has looked into feasible governing models that can keep the peace in Sri Lanka. Finally the research finds out what institutions are suitable to sustain the peace. Based on this multi-level analysis, the study concludes that transformative leadership, peace education, peace journalism, moderate political solution and equal economy can pave the way for lasting peace in Sri Lanka.