Abstract:
Peaceful integration with equal economic,
political, and cultural rights are crucial for individual
and community wellbeing that levy on the government
especially in war-affected regions. However, demerits are
also possible in relation to resettlement and reconciliation
process with a sort of ethnic polarization in certain areas
in Northern Sri Lanka after an extended civil war between
Government of Sri Lanka and Liberation of Tigers
of Tamil Eelam for 30 years. Seasonal migrant fishers
(Sinhalese) from South are experiencing an unfavourable
environment in post-war era, is unraveled in this paper
emphasizing the numerous obstacles on their migration.
The study was carried out in Silavathurei and SouthBar
in Mannar District (Northern Province) interviewing
100 seasonal migrant fishers from Negombo and Chilaw
(Western and North-western provinces respectively).
Focus Group Discussions (4) and Participatory Rural
Appraisal techniques were applied for qualitative
data collection. Five point Likert scale (1- very much
dissatisfied…5 – very much satisfied) was used to glean
data on community relationships and satisfactions. The
results show that 93.2* percent (mean = 1.59) are not
satisfied (* both dissatisfied and very much dissatisfied)
about the social condition prevailing in Mannar fishing
communities due to ill-treatments and barriers imposed
on their arrival. The resettlement with ethnic shuffling
was complained by 54.8* percent stating loss of harmony
and peace than earlier. Although, they are satisfied about
physical security (75%*), the relationships with Tamil and
Muslim fishermen, fish merchants, fisheries organizations,
and fisheries officers have been badly affected (mean
= 2.12). Having all these repercussions 52* percent of
migrant fishers are dissatisfied about the overall societal
relationships emerged in post war period resulting less
achievements (mean = 2.63) in their lives. The study has
been revealed that the resettlement and rehabilitation took
place in Mannar is least effective as it could not reconcile
their relational wellbeing with expected ethnic cohesion
but aroused inter and intra community disaggregation.
