Struggling to Feel at Home: An Inquiry into Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees' Experiences of Reintegration

Abstract

This thesis investigates the reintegration process of Sri Lankan Tamil returnees. After the Sri Lankan civil war ended in 2009, a number of refugees who lived in exile in India returned to their country of origin. This research asks how Tamil returnees experience and navigate the reintegration process initiated by their return. It was designed as an explorative case study based on thirteen interviews with returnees in Vavuniya District in October 2016. The analysis shows, that the majority of respondents encountered similar challenges, for example the difficulty to find employment, the perceived lack of support by state actors and organisations as well as feelings of frustration because of loneliness. It was found that persons who were able to access regular employment experienced their process of return much more positive and had managed to improve their situation quite quickly. On the other hand, persons who arrived relatively recently, moved to places they were not familiar with, or had difficulties finding jobs compatible with their skill level were mostly disappointed with their situation. In order to cope with their difficulties respondents used several strategies including making use of family networks and exchanging services with local authorities. Overall, many returnees struggle to re-establish their lives in Sri Lanka and are rather disappointed with their situation. This is partly due to the lack of a coherent reintegration system and the inefficiency of state institutions. This research also shows how the dimensions of reintegration are interdependent and positively influence each other. If this relationship can be better understood it would be of great significance for development programmes with refugee context.