ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we shift our focus to South Asia and to “dirty wars” by studying the prolonged Tamil–Sinhalese ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. Typically dirty wars are deep-rooted and highly internationalized ethnic conflicts, that are ruthlessly fought by the adversaries, produce great human suffering and human rights abuses, and are difficult to resolve through international third-party involvement. As recent developments in Sri Lanka vividly demonstrate, such conflicts often end with the complete military defeat and destruction of one side. But, while a “fight to the finish” may lead to the end of the conflict, it usually leaves behind a war ravaged country and a complex humanitarian emergency. At the conclusion of dirty wars, therefore, peace building, reconstruction and reconciliation emerge as the main challenges. Sustained international commitment and support is usually needed to meet these challenges.
