Participatory research on human insecurity and small arms: Sri Lanka

AB: This report describes and analyses a project established by the Small Arms Survey in Switzerland and the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) in Sri Lanka. The project uses qualitative methods- specifically PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal), PUA (Participatory Urban Appraisal), and RRA (Rapid Rural Appraisal) - to measure risk and vulnerability in three communities in the Vavuniya district, affected by small arms related violence. Semi-structured interviews, workshops and participative methods were used in assessing insecurity, knowledge of small arms, socio-economic context, psychological experience, human fatalities, disabilities, child soldiers, loss of property, and changes in livelihood and health. Some of the participative methods used were social mapping, seasonality charts, livelihood profiles, pair-wise ranking, historical timeline, impact diagramming, anxiety mapping, and brainstorming/listing. The report goes on to present community perceptions on insecurity, fear and violence in relation to the use of small arms; small arms, their use and sources; human insecurity and the impact of small arms; and possible solutions to the use of small arms. The report is concluded with reflections on the participative methods used, the general results of the survey and recommendations for future management of the small arms issue. Separate field reports from the three communities Alunthwatta, Thranikulan an Ullukkulama are appended to the report.