1 INFRASTRUCTURE RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMES IN THE CONFLICT AFFECTED COMMUNITIES OF NORTH AND EAST SRI LANKA Haigh, R., Amaratunga, D. 1 , Hettige, S. 2 , Wigneshwaran, N. 3 and Shanmugalingam, N. 4 1 Centre for Disaster Resilience, School of the Built Environment, University of Salford, UK 2 Social Policy Analysis & Research Centre, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka 3 Eastern University, Sri Lanka 4 University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka Introduction This is an account of the first phase of a longer term study into the relationship between physical infrastructure reconstruction programmes and social cohesion among conflict affected people in the North and East of Sri Lanka. This phase of the study aims to provide an insight into the critical components of adequate infrastructure and to establish how local people are currently engaged in the reconstruction process. The study uses grounded theory as the target society is emerging from conflict and therefore it is important not to go with pre-conceived ideas. The findings are based on the results of focus groups and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in the infrastructure reconstruction process. Background While war in the N&E of Sri Lanka has ended, peace, especially sustainable peace, is not so easily forthcoming. Post- conflict reconstruction supports the transition from conflict to peace through the rebuilding of the socio-economic framework of the society. However, there is a need to pay special attention to conflict dynamics that may arise through development work 1 . Interest in helping to support a lasting resolution to the Sri Lanka conflict has led some to focus efforts on strengthening incentives for peace and reconciliation, including encouraging conflict sensitive approaches and supporting post conflict recovery & reconstruction 2 . Physical infrastructure – broadly defined to include services that are essential ingredients to quality of life and economic activity 3 – has the potential to connect or divide communities. Reconstructing physical infrastructure after a war can help in the peace building process through restoring dignity, providing much needed employment opportunity and promoting conflict sensitive approaches. Any physical reconstruction needs to be tailored to the needs of the affected people, including diverse ethnic groups. Precautions need to be taken to avoid repeating mistakes that occurred during post tsunami reconstruction efforts – lack of consideration of ethnic co-existence 4 . Conflict also tends to deepen gender discrimination and disadvantages faced by women 5 . Similarly, young people, who have been born into and often participated in the war, must overcome persisting inequalities and differential access to opportunities 6 , while the elderly face challenging economic constraints and often require special care 7 . There is growing recognition that reconstruction requires inter-disciplinary solutions; those professions traditionally involved in reconstruction of infrastructure – the construction industry – must understand the sensitive environment in which they will be operating 8 . Understanding the needs of those living in the region will be vital if reconstruction is to help prevent future conflict. This account is from the initial phase of a study that seeks to explore the interaction between conflict affected people and infrastructure reconstruction programmes in the North and East of Sri Lanka as a means to prevent future conflict in the region. For this initial phase of the study, the detailed research questions are: (1) what are the critical components in