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CIVIC is the only organization solely focused on civilians in armed conflict.
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Healing the Wounds Sri Lanka | Heal the Wounds: Sri Lanka |
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Latest news: Field Blog: CIVIC from the Field: Sri Lanka
The Conflict Historical divisions between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils caused the longest conflict in Asia between the Sri Lanka Government security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Since its founding in 1983, the LTTE, a separatist militant organization, fought for Tamils’ political voice in the Sinhalese-dominated country and an independent Tamil state, using both conventional warfare techniques and terrorist methods. The situation came to a head in early 2009 with intense fighting across the northeast of the country. After various attempts to resolve the conflict through negotiations, the Sri Lankan military declared victory over the LTTE on May 19, 2009. The LTTE and the Sri Lankan military have both been accused of serious human rights violations including the use of child soldiers. Almost three decades of civil conflict resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties and exacerbated poverty. The Government, with the support of international cooperation agencies, started to implement a Presidential Task Force for Resettlement in order to reconstruct the north and east of the country. Progress, however, remains slow. CIVIC's Work In 2009 CIVIC, along with NGO partners, urged both warring parties to avoid civilian casualties. CIVIC recently called on the Sri Lankan Government to ensure an "amends" component for civilian losses through the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Casualties and Displacement Statistics
- 1983-2009: 80,000 - 100,000 estimated casualties(OCHA) CIVIC on Sri Lanka
Press Release: Sri Lanka, Making Amends for Civilian Losses Crucial for Reconciliation, May 6, 2010
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