Viyanga examines how women in ‘border villages’ imagine and practice community in postwar Sri Lanka. Following a history of colonisation, ethnonationalist governance, three decades of civil war (1983-2009), and postwar rebuilding, the notions of ‘ethnic community,’ ‘ethnic war,’ and ‘interethnic coexistence’ are pervasive in academic and non-academic rhetoric on Sri Lanka. This has obscured grassroots lifeworlds and alternative forms of belonging. Starting thought from ordinary women in the so-called border villages and utilising a gendered lens, Viyanga’s thesis complicates the prevalent notions of community and interethnic coexistence in postwar Sri Lanka. Findings show that women’s everyday community making – memories, spaces, and practices - is not limited to notions of ethnic community, and belongingness goes beyond mere ‘interethnic coexistence.’

About the speaker

Viyanga Gunasekera is a PhD candidate at RegNet. Her research focuses on women's community building in post-conflict Sri Lanka with a special reference to border areas. Viyanga is trained as a social science researcher and is a Research Fellow at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Sri Lanka. Her previous research includes women’s land rights and empowerment, women’s representation in politics, social inclusion and exclusion, psychosocial wellbeing of ex-combatants, and pluralistic memories of post-war Sri Lanka. Viyanga has a BA (General) and MPhil in Psychology from the University of Peradeniya. Viyanga’s research interests are in memory, peacebuilding, vulnerable groups of people, gender, and psychosocial wellbeing.

This seminar presentation is a dual-delivery event. Registration is only required for Zoom attendance. 

If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please email regnet.communications@anu.edu.au.

Image credit: Image taken and provided by Viyanga Gunasekera