Indeewari’s research topic: Echoes of Silence: Unravelling Enforced Disappearances and the Quest for Reconciliation in Sri Lanka’s JVP Insurgencies (1971 & 1987–1989)”
My research explored the long-term impacts of enforced disappearances that occurred during the 1971 and 1987–89 JVP uprisings in Southern Sri Lanka and aimed to understand how families continue to live with unresolved loss across generations. Specifically, the study focused on second and third generation family members of the disappeared in Hambantota and Tangalle, examining how memory, silence, trauma, and political exclusion shape their everyday lives.
These families continue to navigate the social, emotional, and economic consequences of disappearance, ranging from prolonged uncertainty and disrupted livelihoods to intergenerational trauma and mistrust in state institutions. While enforced disappearance is often treated as a past human rights violation, this research highlights how its effects remain present within households and communities decades later.
Fieldwork was conducted between June and August 2025 and involved in-depth family discussions with affected families, as well as informal discussions with experts and practitioners working on memory, trauma, and accountability. Undertaking this research held deep personal significance for me, as my own family was affected by political violence during this period. This positionality strengthened my commitment to relational ethics, care, and accountability throughout the research process.
The study contributes to broader discussions on peacebuilding and development by emphasising that justice processes must address not only legal accountability, but also the lived and intergenerational consequences of disappearance. By centring family voices, the research underscores the importance of survivor-informed approaches in rebuilding trust, strengthening social cohesion, and supporting sustainable peace in post-conflict societies.“
INDEEWARI KANCHANA GALAGAMA | PHD IN POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | MASSEY UNIVERSITY
