Abstract:
In Sri Lanka, reconciliation after the war has frequently been interpreted as a top-down political
or legal process. In this paper, we propose an alternative view: reconciliation is mainly an
experiential, relational, and youth-driven process. Utilizing longitudinal evidence from youthcentred
programmes, in particular the Enhancing Knowledge and Virtues: Youth Empowerment
(Sisu Diriya) initiative and university-based reconciliation platforms, the study investigates how
lived encounters, shared cultural practices, language learning and institutional embedding within
higher education create durable pathways towards social cohesion. This paper provides an analytical
model of youth networks as peace infrastructure and universities as strategic reconciliation
institutions. The findings are consistent with SDG 16 and SDG 4.7 and provide a scalable Global
South model for post-conflict societies.
