Community mediation is a popular form of alternative dispute resolution Its moniker is derived from the fact that the process espoused by this form of mediation, is endemic to a community or to a group of people living in a specific locality.

Community mediation is premised on the primary aim of resolving disputes in relation to the community, which includes (and is not limited to) disputes between neighbours; disputes between landlords and tenants; disputes between community members and the local government. The most common civil disputes are in relation to family matters as well as land and property - of which disputes over boundaries of land, right of way and the illegal use of land are most prominent.

Mediation is carried out through the set-up and establishment of Community Mediation Boards. This mediation process is entrenched in the very fabric of the community and in community practice, and this entrenchment can be attributed to the fact that access to a particular mediation board is limited to the citizens in that particular Divisional Secretary Division. It is further fortified by the fact that the mediation board in and of itself is comprised of volunteers from that community. Currently, there are 330 Divisional Secretary Divisions in Sri Lanka with a varied population count – with some Divisional Secretary Divisions being more populated than others.

The Community Mediation Boards have been actively contributing towards amicable resolutions for inter-personal and community-level disputes and offenses. This wide network of Mediation Boards is a testament to the success of the program in providing a quick, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to traditional court proceedings, and to the success of the program in helping to build stronger, more cohesive communities.