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Research Journal of the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka- Rohana 12, 2020

Scholarship on Reconciliation

The reconciliation has been defined as a societal process that involves a mutual
acknowledgement of the past suffering and the changing of destructive attitudes and

behaviour into constructive relationships toward sustainable peace (Lederach, 2001).
The above definition recognizes that there is "a focus as well as a locus" in the

reconciliation process. The focus of reconciliation is upon building new and better
relationships between former enemies. Relationships are both the root cause and the

long-term solution to the conflict. Thus, the connections must be the core focus for

the reconciliation process. As a locus, Lederach argues, "reconciliation represents a
space, a place or location of the encounter, were parties to a conflict meet" (Bar-

Tal, pp. 112-24). Pholpott (2006) noted that the concept of reconciliation has an
ancient meaning, which means "restoration of right relationship". Auerbach (2006)

highlights that reconciliation implies both a process and an outcome. He observes

there is more emphasis on the former when the reconciliation is being undertaken by
any society. Accordingly, "stable peace; is the long-term goal of any process of

conflict resolution. Clegg classified four categories of reconciliations; political,
societal, interpersonal and personal reconciliations (2008, p.235). After defining

what is meant by reconciliation, it requires the contextualization within the post-war

period of Sri Lanka.

The scholars in the field of conflict studies shed light on the prerequisite of the post-
conflict reconciliation process. They had pointed out reconciliation in post-

authoritarian societies has to face the challenge of dealing with their past in the
aftermath of violent confrontations (De Votta, 2013). It is because it has to be a

period of transition wherein the new elites are required to select the most adequate
instrument to solve their previous disputes and prevent future violent clashes (Teite,

2003; Huyse, 1996). In the above context, diverse models have been implemented

from national and international criminal prosecutions, truth commissions, reparation
projects, hybrid courts, to name a few. In their reconciliation efforts, some countries

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