Micro-level experiences, understandings and visions of peace in Sri Lanka’s war victory

Abstract

It is widely recognised in contemporary peace and conflict scholarship that exploring micro-level experiences is important for a fuller and more nuanced understanding of the forms of peace that emerge post-war. In this article, we argue that such inquiry might be particularly urgent in the context of a victor’s peace. Much research on victor’s peace focus on the state and macro level and seldom account for the outcome across local contexts. Based on focus group discussions conducted across communities and geographical localities in Sri Lanka, we explore and compare narratives of peace in order to elucidate plural understandings, experiences and visions. The study moves beyond the dichotomous peace conceptions often associated with the notion of victor’s peace and provides insights into varieties of peace at the local and everyday level, and into challenges and possibilities for transforming conflict relationships post-war.