Resettlement and Rehabilitation in Post-War Sri Lanka and Non-State Actors

Abstract

Sri Lanka witnessed the end of the protracted civil war in 2009, in which the root causes and implications are complex and multiple. This study mainly examines the impact of non-state actors in resettlement and rehabilitation in post-war Sri Lanka. The core objective of this study is to find out whether the influence and effects of the non-state actors functioning in Sri Lanka has an impact on resettlement and rehabilitation process. On the other hand, this study scrutinizes what are the strategies and tactics that have been utilized by the non-state actors. The study has been conducted using both primary and secondary data. The primary data was collected through questionnaire method and the secondary data was gathered through articles, journals, research papers and etc. The results and findings of the study stipulate that the non-state actors have a significant impact on resettlement and rehabilitation in post-war Sri Lanka. The qualitative analysis shows that United Nations and its affiliated agencies like UNDP, UNICEF, and UNHCR, local and international NGOs, MNCs and local sub-state agencies have immensely contributed for the fulfilment of better resettlement and rehabilitation mechanism. Moreover, these non-state actors have the capacity to pressure the public opinion as well as international community to make the Government authorities accountable for such mechanisms. The study found that non-state actors should further facilitate the resettlement and rehabilitation. Moreover the non-state actors could build collective mechanisms to minimize the Government indirect control in North-East areas and reduce military presence as well.