Tab Article
Ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Political Science / Peace Studies / Conflict Resolution
Book Review:
Guide to Learning Peace - II is a masterful and insightful analysis of Sri Lanka's peace process from one of the country's most distinguished political scientists, Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda. This essay offers a critical and nuanced examination of the UNF-LTTE negotiation initiative that began in 2001, exploring its strategies, objectives, and potential outcomes.
Uyangoda's analysis is grounded in a deep understanding of Sri Lankan politics and a sophisticated theoretical framework. He moves beyond conventional discussions of mediation and negotiation to propose a concept of ''transformative peace''—a vision of peace that goes beyond the mere absence of war to address the underlying social, political, and structural conditions that fuel conflict. This is a significant contribution to peace studies and conflict resolution theory.
The essay is both timely and timeless. It engages with the specific challenges of the Sri Lankan context while offering insights that are applicable to other conflict-affected societies. Uyangoda's writing is clear, rigorous, and accessible, making complex political and theoretical ideas understandable to a wide audience.
This book is essential reading for students of political science, peace and conflict studies, and anyone interested in the future of Sri Lanka. It is a testament to Uyangoda's intellectual leadership and his lifelong commitment to peace and social justice.
