Unveiling the Margins: Women, Caste, Class, and Post-War Development in Sri Lanka's North and East

This chapter in the Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Sri Lanka critically examines post-war development in Sri Lanka in this chapter, focusing on the experiences of women and caste-based communities in the war-affected North and East districts. Despite initial economic growth in these regions after the conflict, sustained development and inclusive opportunities have been limited. Women-headed households, heavily militarised areas, and lower-ranking caste groups face multiple challenges that hinder social mobility and economic participation. Factors, such as low labour participation, micro-debt crisis, and exclusion from economic opportunities, perpetuate marginalisation and exacerbate social divisions. The chapter underscores the importance of addressing these issues through comprehensive and inclusive development strategies to promote gender equality, social cohesion, and economic empowerment in the North and East regions of Sri Lanka.