Displaced Sri Lankan Muslims face ongoing resettlement challenges decades after civil war

Nearly two decades after Sri Lanka’s civil war ended in 2009, many Muslims displaced from the Northern and Eastern Provinces continue to struggle with resettlement, news reports said on Tuesday.

The conflict, primarily between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), led to the displacement of approximately 70,000 Muslims. The LTTE expelled over 70,000 Muslims from the Northern Province in 1990, forcing them to abandon their homes and livelihoods.

Despite the war’s end, reports indicate that resettlement efforts for these displaced Muslims have been inadequate. Many have faced challenges in returning to their ancestral lands due to a lack of proper government policies, limited support from local Tamil communities, and opposition from Sinhalese-Buddhist nationalist groups.

Additionally, the expansion of military bases in the north has resulted in the appropriation of land previously owned by Muslims, further complicating resettlement efforts.

As of recent reports, a significant number of displaced Muslim families remain in temporary settlements across various provinces, with only a fraction successfully resettled in their original homes. The prolonged displacement has led to economic hardships, social alienation, and challenges in reclaiming property and reestablishing livelihoods.

Advocacy groups continue to highlight the plight of these displaced populations, urging the Sri Lankan government and international community to implement comprehensive resettlement programs that address the unique challenges faced by displaced Muslims and promote sustainable post-war development and reconciliation.