An Analysis of Initiatives Taken to Build Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country which encountered a devastating civil war for 26 years. Although war ended in 2009, Sri Lanka is still far from reaching positive peace, as ethnic disharmony and national disintegration adversely affect the nation-building process. The Ministry of Education has formulated the National Policy on Education for Social Cohesion and Peace (ESCP) in 2008 to support national integration among different groups in Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Education has taken initiatives under the recommendations of the National Policy to build social cohesion through peace and multicultural education. This study examines the progress of initiatives taken by the Ministry of Education to build social cohesion in Sri Lanka. A survey was conducted covering 300 respondents or stakeholders of education to find out their perceptions on social cohesion and peace. Then, perceptions were analyzed to see whether they match with the objectives of the National Policy to evaluate, to what extent respondents have absorbed and accepted the message given through these initiatives for 10 years, since the formation of the National Policy in 2008 to 2018.