ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the socio-political factors that frustrated hopes of ethnic reconciliation. It shows that failure of reconciliation and the greater polarization of ethnic communities in postwar Sri Lanka have their roots in the violent past, especially the way in which the war was terminated. The chapter also makes the case that returning to nonviolent conflict resolution methods will help foster healthier ethnic relations and even reconciliation, eventually. It argues that the coming togetherness of the Sinhala and Tamil people has failed while a loose "process of reconciliation" is still in place. The chapter also argues that addressing the fundamental issues of a conflict through peaceful means is a precondition for effective reconciliation. It examines the problems that frustrated hopes of reconciliation in Sri Lanka. The chapter also shows that the primary objective of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission was to respond and nullify international criticism of the government's conduct of the war.
