Where we work
We work throughout Sri Lanka focussing our work in the East and South. Through our membership of SAPA (South Asia Peace Alliance) we run workshops and deliver joint peace projects in various South Asian countries. Most recently we have become part of the Conflict Sensitivity Consortium where we are working with peace building organisations in Kenya and Sierra Leone also.
Our main offices are in Ampara in the Eastern Province and Matara in the Southern Province although we regularly set up offices in other areas of the country depending on the projects we are developing at the time. At present, July 2011, PCA works in the following districts; Hambantota, Matara and Galle in the South, and Ampara and Batticaloa in the East.
We sited our south main offices in Matara as a response to the needs of the communities there post tsunami. The high level of conflict and lack of social cohesion within communities are the continuing difficulties we are supporting communities to overcome. Post civil war there continues to be a lack of understanding of ethnic Tamils and a lack of recognition of a need for a reconciliation process.
Ampara has an almost more equal number of Muslims, Tamils and Sinhala peoples living within it than any other district in Sri Lanka. Its governance changed hands many times between the Tamil Tigers and Government forces during the 30 year civil war. Poverty, ethnic mistrust, and division are rife here. Family breakdown fired by high unemployment and mechanisation of traditional livelihoods stands alongside inter ethnic rivalry and a lack of intercommunity understanding.
These two districts form PCA’s ongoing work in peacebuilding and where we are making the most sustained and in-depth attempt to make a difference and contribute to ongoing reconciliation and peace in Sri Lanka.