NPC, through its People Unite for Justice and Accountability (PUJA) project, conducted district-based meetings to engage diverse networks including District and Local Inter Religious Committees, organic formations, master trainers and state officials to address the complexities of post-conflict justice while fostering dialogue and collaboration among communities divided by decades of conflict.
NPC’s Executive Director Dr. Jehan Perera provided a critical overview of the current political climate, linking it to the transitional justice process. He noted a positive shift in the nation's electoral rhetoric, observing that there had been a marked decrease in the use of divisive, racist language in political campaigns compared to previous years, highlighting this as a significant sign of progress in the journey towards reconciliation and peacebuilding.
However, frustrations remained about the effectiveness of the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission. A state officer from Trincomalee said, “We have little faith in the commission’s ability to uncover the truth about our missing loved ones. The process is inefficient and the constant bureaucratic hurdles are unbearable for victims’ families. We need a permanent, independent body solely dedicated to investigating these cases and delivering justice.”
The call for systemic reform was echoed by N. Mathivannan, another state officer from Trincomalee. He emphasised the need for a formal mechanism to ensure compensation for victims, stressing that without a strong system for resource allocation, the transitional justice process would struggle to achieve its goals. “A systematic approach to collecting credible evidence is essential,” he pointed out.
Participants from Nuwara Eliya and Trincomalee said that lasting peace could only be achieved when all citizens regardless of ethnicity, caste or religion were treated equally. A participant from Nuwara Eliya stressed that the principle of one country, one law must be applied consistently to all, lamenting the government's failure to uphold it in practice. A Hindu priest from Nuwara Eliya reinforced this view, insisting that the government must treat all citizens fairly and equally.
A Buddhist monk from Nuwara Eliya raised concerns about the media’s role in shaping public perceptions of the transitional justice process. He warned that misinterpretation or biased reporting could mislead the public and derail reconciliation efforts. “Sri Lanka will only achieve lasting peace if the public is properly informed about the real situation in the country,” he pointed out.
The urgency of preventing further conflict was a recurring theme throughout the discussions. C. Sinthuja, a youth leader from Trincomalee, expressed her dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the truth telling process. “We see this as an act of deception towards both the country and the international community,” she said.
The PUJA project is committed to fostering dialogue, advocating for systemic reform and ensuring that transitional justice efforts yield meaningful outcomes for all communities. The sessions serve as a vital platform for sharing grievances, building consensus and shaping the country’s future reconciliation efforts, underscoring the importance of inclusive dialogue in the pursuit of lasting peace and justice.