NPC held district-based meetings in Vavuniya, Anuradhapura, Mannar and Ratnapura through its People Unite for Justice and Accountability (PUJA) project, bringing together government officials, local leaders and members of the NPC network aimed at fostering dialogue on Transitional Justice (TJ) and truth telling, addressing complex grievances that continue to affect communities impacted the long standing conflict.
A common message was the need for inclusivity in decision making. NPC Executive Director Dr. Jehan Perera said, “Decisions should not be made based on majority rule alone. It’s important to include everyone in the discussion to ensure fair implementation nationwide.” His comments underscored a crucial theme that genuine reconciliation requires input from all affected groups to prevent future divisions.
Participants voiced specific, long standing grievances that demanded recognition and redress. In Mannar, they highlighted issues such as the forced displacement of Muslim communities from the Northern Province. K.M. Najeed, a member of the Mannar Local Inter Religious Committee (LIRC), noted that dealing with these painful memories remained essential to achieving real reconciliation and justice. Others echoed this call, pointing out that addressing such historic injustices was critical to avoiding renewed social tensions.
A consistent theme across the districts was the need for a formal mechanism to support victims of the conflict. In Mannar, Grama Niladhari M. Rexon Vinoth emphasised the importance of creating a structured compensation system, ensuring that victims and their families receive tangible, ongoing support. Participants agreed that a TJ process must go beyond symbolic gestures, with a sustainable resource allocation framework to meet the needs of affected families over time.
Practical barriers to implementing TJ initiatives surfaced in discussions across the four districts. Many participants, including Ratnapura’s Additional Government Agent Mrs. Gayani Karunarathna, emphasised the importance of training officials on laws on enforced disappearances. Mrs. Karunarathna noted that without a thorough understanding of the legal procedures, officials would struggle to assist families seeking answers about missing relatives.
The discussion of a draft bill proposing a TJ commission also revealed concerns. Participants in Anuradhapura and other districts voiced strong opinions that an effective commission must operate free from political influence to establish credibility. Participants suggested refining the selection process for commission members, proposing that appointments should prioritise impartiality and transparency to strengthen public trust. The need for an independent truth commission emerged as a priority.
W.C.J. Erangika, an Integration Officer, pointed out the importance of a commission that could provide victims with a platform to share their stories, stating, “All victims’ families should receive fair financial compensation and restitution for property damage.”
The sessions provided a forum for representatives to voice their concerns, discuss solutions and forge a collective path forward. The conversations underscored that achieving true justice required a dedicated, independent process that reflected the complexities of Sri Lanka’s history and respected the perspectives of all communities. Through PUJA, NPC remains committed to amplifying these voices to build a foundation of peace, trust and understanding across the country.