Issues at Own Backyard : Caste Based Socio-Economic Inequalities as "Unseen Hurdles" in Post-conflict Northern Sri Lanka <Article>

There are "unseen core causes" such as existing socio-economic structures protruding as "unseen hurdles" in post-conflict peacebuilding in northern Sri Lanka. Tamil caste system, caste based land ownership, education, employment opportunities and social recognition are ongoing challenges to reconcile grassroots intra Tamils rather than Sinhala and Tamil communities. The aim of this article is to reveal how the Tamil community's own caste issues triggered and later escalated the Sri Lankan protracted conflict. The article also emphasizes the importance that should be given to addressing the caste-based structural issues and its existing challenges to achieve positive peace in post-conflict northern Sri Lanka.