The consequences of post conflict reconstruction: a review of literature

Conflicts are a significant form of disasters not only because of the mass destruction of lives but also due to its long term impact on livelihoods, physical infrastructures, governing institutions, social cohesion and trust. Post Conflict Reconstruction (PCR), therefore, should take a holistic approach of rebuilding shattered livelihoods while restoring governance and trust, in order to avoid future conflicts. Sri Lanka is a country that went through a protracted ethnic conflict for nearly 30 years. After the end of war in 2009, large investments have taken place in terms of physical infrastructure reconstruction. While it remains a question whether these reconstruction efforts have created any benefits, adequate amount of research has not taken place to analyse the consequences of the PCR in Sri Lanka. In the present application of PCR, there are several examples of failed intervention and of achieving contradictory results. In existing PCR literature, there is a lack of clear understanding of consequences of PCR intervention in terms of physical infrastructure, and focus has been limited to impacts on certain issues like conflict prevention, poverty reduction, inequality, land grabbing and governance. This paper highlights the need for comprehensive analysis of consequences of PCR. Drawing from previous research, it brings together a list of consequences to be analysed prior to implementing infrastructure projects. It also emphasises the significance of PCR consequences in the Sri Lankan post conflict context and how they can relate to long term stability.