POLITICAL TRUST AND RECONCILIATION DURING SRI LANKA'S DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION: FINDINGS FROM THE SRI LANKA BAROMETER STUDY

Abstract

This study offers a direct assessment of changing public attitudes of reconciliation, governance, and civic engagement in the post-crisis scenario by comparing the results of the Sri Lanka Barometer polls conducted in 2023 and 2025. The study used a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative interpretations of shifting attitudes towards unity and governmental responsibility with quantitative measures including national mean scores on reconciliation, political trust, and civic engagement. A continuing "reconciliation deficit" is highlighted by the results, which show a persistent public demand for reconciliation (mean score rising from 7.9 to 8.1) along with a moderate improvement in perceived outcomes (6.0 to 6.4). The percentage of respondents who cited a lack of political will and divisive nationalist politics fell by more than half between 2023 and 2025, indicating a notable fall in perceptions of political hurdles. At the same time, perceived personal freedom and political trust reached their best levels since 2020, indicating a resurgence of faith in governmental institutions. While total engagement is still low, civic indicators showed growth as well, with political motivation and active citizenship rising dramatically. These results indicate a period of transition, especially in post-conflict regions, where resurgent optimism coexists with regional inequalities and persistent mistrust. The study comes to the conclusion that maintaining this vulnerable public trust through inclusive governance, regionally appropriate policy frameworks, and the institutionalisation of civic engagement as a pillar of democratic resilience are essential to Sri Lanka's reconciliation trajectory.