How can terrorism be prevented?: special reference to “Kotiyagala village” in Monaragala district of Sri –Lanka from 1995 - 2009

Abstract

This paper is going to examine what the effective method of terrorism prevention. Identification of terrorism and role of the civil society in the counter terrorist measures were the objectives of this research. The research was based on primary data gathered from 150 interviewees using structured questionnaires. Random Sampling Method was used to collect primary data. In addition to using a structured questionnaire, the officers such as Army, Police, teachers, lecturers, farmers were interviewed. Except lecturers, the other interviewees were selected from “kotiyagala village” at “siyabalanduwa” additional secretariat in Monaragala District. Kotiyagala is a village which has been victimized since 1983 by the LTTE. Our research was referenced the “KOTIYAGALA VILLAGE” in the Monaragala district in Sri – Lanka. It is not a land which had to born terrorism or so called “Border Village”. But intimidation of terrorism had been on there. The villagers have been victimized three times since 1995. Even thou terrorist suppression methods that have been succeed in other areas; they could not suitable for KOTIYAGALA. The villages insisted on the necessary of armed weapons to face terrorist, armed training for both male and female. They said that if they could organize as small groups with arms, they can guard their village. In this sense they implied that the necessity of volunteer armed groups for each village. The research explore that even thou terrorism had been defeated it would not be able to prevent without the active participate of civil societies. Terrorism emerges on the base of factors that had been created by the society through its injustice societal activities. According to the study, root causes which will be led to the emergence of terrorism want to be eradicated to prevent terrorism. There is an active participation of civil society, the terrorism prevention would be fruitful. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/suslj.v12i1.7000 Sabaragamuwa University Journal 2013; V. 12 No. 1 pp 53-60