Abstract:
The transitional justice process of Sri Lanka after its thirty year ethnic conflict has
received international attention. The main objectives of the process are social
reconstruction, reconciliation and prevention of recurrence of hostilities. Seeking and
addressing the root cause of the conflict is the primary function of the transitional
justice process. The international community is increasingly recognizing the
importance of addressing the economic, social and cultural rights in transitional
societies. There is an intrinsic link between the civil and political rights violations and
economic, social and cultural rights violations. However, similar to many other postwar societies, Sri Lanka views the latter type of rights as aspirational goals and in a
state-policy dimension. In order to attain the objectives of the transitional justice
process effectively, Sri Lanka could take inspiration from other transitional societies
such as Colombia, Sierra Leone, and Timor-Leste and include these rights in
transitional justice mechanisms such as truth commissions, judicial processes and
institutional reform.
