Displacement and Environmentalism: A Resettlement and Conservation Controversy from Wilpattu, Sri Lanka

Looking at a case of conflict displacement from the Sri Lankan civil war, this paper highlights the complex challenges of achieving durable solutions for IDPs when ethnic and religious tensions and concerns around environmental protection are also at play.

Published on April 25, 2024

Mahinda Deegalle | all, IDPs, Development-driven, Solutions, Asia-Pacific

Sri Lanka. Children from a resettled community return home in Jassim City, Wilpattu National Park 2016 © Mahinda Deegalle

The issue of internal displacement is a complex and sensitive one, particularly in Sri Lanka where the twenty-six-year-old Civil War that ended in 2009 was still affecting around 11,000 people as of 2021. This study focuses on the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Wilpattuva, a small region in northwest Sri Lanka. The post-war period saw an environmental controversy arise due to the resettlement of IDPs in the Jassim City area, which was funded by Qatar and initiated by a controversial Muslim politician. This resettlement caused deforestation in the Wilpattu National Park area and affected the ecological balance. The situation became even more complicated with the involvement of environmentalists, a military presence, and Muslim responses to the Wilpattu Controversy.

The IDP resettlement was carried out without proper planning or consideration of the ecological and spatial spheres, which resulted in environmental concerns and endangered the lives of animals in the elephant corridor in the buffer zone of Wilpattu National Park. It is crucial to acknowledge that the growing concerns about global warming, deforestation, and nature conservation have led to an increase in environmental activism. It is high time that we prioritize the preservation of the environment and prehistoric heritage over political and social interests. The resettlement of IDPs should be carried out with proper planning, taking into account environmental and security concerns. Solutions to internal displacement are heavily dependent on various factors that are difficult to control, and we must work towards finding sustainable solutions that benefit everyone involved. The Wilpattuva case demonstrates the complexity of the issue and highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that takes into account the island’s political, social, environmental, and security concerns.

KEYWORDS: Displacement, Conflict, Environmentalism, IDPs, Wilpattu, Sri Lanka

Mahinda Deegalle is a Professorial Research Associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He is also a Professor Emeritus at Bath Spa University and was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge. His research concentrates on War, Violence, Extremism, and International Humanitarian Law.

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