Introduction

This chapter looks at three projects that are being run by social workers in Sri Lanka to build community robustness, women's engagement and post-conflict cross-community engagement. By focusing on grassroots community building shaped by values of non-violent resistance and social justice, I argue that community social work models have had a significant impact in building cross-community support networks and tackling issues of inbuilt suspicion and rivalry between the different communities.

To start the chapter, however, it is necessary to paint a picture of the background to Sri Lankan society and the roots of the conflicts that have shaped the island since independence in 1948.

Historical background

Sri Lanka has occupied the centre of South Asian conflicts for the last three decades – a consequence of the way in which the colonial authorities planted the seeds of ethnic divide and rule when the country (then known as Ceylon) was part of the British Empire. The post-colonial history of the country has been filled with structural inequality and oppression, punctuated by moments of extreme violence directed primarily against the Tamil minority. Although there has been a long history to Sri Lanka's troubles, I will concentrate on the recent past, beginning with Sri Lankan independence in 1948.

Sri Lanka is home to Sinhalese, Tamils, Burgers, Veddhas and a few other communities. The Sinhalese constitute 70% of the population. They live mainly in the southern part of the island. The Sinhalese are overwhelmingly Buddhist, though there is a smaller Christian community (Clarence, 2007). The Tamils inhabit mainly the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka; they are the second-largest community on the island and constitute about 18% of the population. They are overwhelmingly Hindu, but again there is a smaller Christian community. There is also a significant Muslim community on the island (about 8% of the population). In addition, there are communities of Burgers, Veddhas and Malays, all with different heritages.

By and large, the communities have learnt to coexist in harmony in the urban areas, where there is much interaction. However, in the rural areas the interaction between communities is limited. Nevertheless, during common meetings, festivals and celebrations it has been customary to meet and greet friends of different ethnic groups, religions and cultures.