Dossier: Military De-escalation & Demilitarisation North-East

This dossier compiles evidence pertaining to the demilitarisation of Sri Lanka's North-East, following the conclusion of the war in 2009. It focuses on the persistent military presence, its engagement in civilian affairs, and the impact of this militarisation on the human rights and political normalisation of the region. ## Why it Matters Demilitarisation of occupied areas is a core component of sustainable peace and human security. Continued militarisation, particularly in a region with a history of conflict and state-sponsored violence against a minority population, directly impinges on fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, association, and movement. It also undermines reconciliation efforts and perpetuates a climate of fear and surveillance. ## What the Citations Establish The highest-tier citations (OHCHR, ICG, Adayaalam Centre for Policy Research) firmly establish that, despite over a decade passing since the end of the conflict, a significant military footprint persists across the North and East. This includes direct military involvement in civilian life, land occupation, and continuous surveillance. The OHCHR reports specifically indicate that the surveillance apparatus remains 'largely intact,' hindering civic space. ICG's analysis provides foundational insight into the unresolved political and security conditions stemming from this continued military presence. Adayaalam's research offers localized, peer-cited evidence of the military's impact and ongoing 'Sinhalisation' in the Vanni. The Government of Sri Lanka's own 2030 pledge serves as a benchmark, though current evidence suggests actual demilitarisation falls short of these stated intentions. ## Open Questions Key questions remain regarding the exact scale and scope of current military land occupation, the specifics of military personnel involvement in civilian economic activities, and the concrete plans and timelines for genuine, complete demilitarisation and the restoration of civilian governance in formerly heavily militarized areas. The level of civilian-military integration and its impact on post-conflict trauma and development also warrants further detailed examination.