Forgotten Solution? Choosing the Residence in Host Communities for IDPs’ Settlement Problem in Sri Lanka

DOI: 10.5176/2251-2403_PSSIR15.54

Authors: Shantha Wanninayake

Abstract:

This study is explores the process of return and resettlement of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) in threatened villages in north-central Sri Lanka in post conflict period. The study sets out to investigate the diverse factors that affected IDPs’ decision to stay in host areas and their unwillingness to return to their original villages. To explore this central question this study examines three main dimensions: social relationships, economic relationships, and (in)security situation. The study explores how IDPs built social relationships, economic relations and livelihoods, and their security amidst host. This study establishes how these social, economic and security factors affected the IDPs’ attraction into the host community/area. To answer the above central research question this study draws on both a theoretical/conceptual approach and empirical evidence. Out of various relevant factors, this study has especially considered; how the IDPs get attracted or integrated into their host communities and areas. The study finds that there is degree bond which acts as pull factor for the IDPs to be more willing to stay in the host area and which also acts as a push factor for the IDPs to keep away from the original areas. There is no one single reason affecting the IDPs’ decision to return or remain but rather it is a combination of several key factors. Nevertheless, the study discovers that the economic factor and its relationship was the most important and influential factor for IDPs in determining the place of residence. Accessibility of land for cultivation and residence is one of the main reasons for IDPs’ to return and remain. The social relationship and the life (in)security affect the IDPs’ decision to find a place and stay with safety. The research for this study is based on qualitative methods, and data for the research have been collected using primary as well as secondary sources of data. The qualitative data were collected in this study through interviews, including long interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group interviews in randomly selected 40 IDPs in north-central region. Secondary sources have been used to help interpret the primary data.

Keywords: IDPs, host community, displacement, settlement, return, resettlement, social-economic relationship, life security, integration, obstacle, threatened village.