This guide is an overview of the functions and activities of Community Mediation Programme (CMP) and Mediation Boards in Sri Lanka. The study highlights the importance of these alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in promoting community harmony and resolving conflicts at a grassroots level. The key findings show the positive impact of CMP in fostering peaceful resolutions, reducing the burden on the formal judicial system, and enhancing access to justice for marginalised communities. The paper also outlines the structure, functions, and operational procedures of Mediation Boards, underscoring their role as impartial mediators in resolving different civil and social disputes. Overall, the paper advocates for the wider adoption and governmental support for community mediation practices in Sri Lanka to strengthen social cohesion and access to justice.

This presentation lays out a range of data findings collected by Community Mediation Boards from 2009-2014. Data was collected on the number of disputes brought to boards and their success rates for settling them. The data also organises statistics on the number of disputes brought to each province, with the Western province receiving the greatest share at 25% of all disputes and the Northern receiving the fewest at 1% in 2009. However, by 2014, the Northern province’s shares rose to 15% highlighting the success of awareness campaigns and increased government support to regional Mediation Boards. The slides included are a valuable resource for those looking for data and

This resource book explains the value of community mediation in resolving conflicts at a local level, promoting inclusivity, and fostering a sense of empowerment among disputants. It outlines various mediation techniques, communication strategies, and conflict resolution models that can be employed by trainers to equip mediators with the necessary skills to mediate successfully. Additionally, the resource book highlights the significance of cultural sensitivity and impartiality in mediating the diverse community disputes found in Sri Lanka. The paper also touches upon the challenges faced in community mediation and offers practical guidance on addressing these issues to ensure successful mediation outcomes.

This publication reflects on the origins, challenges and advancements of Community Mediation in Sri Lanka over the past twenty years. The publication is a tribute to an exceptionally successful mediation program of the Government of Sri Lanka and offers some insights into the Sri Lankan Mediation Boards Model and the people who have
driven and sustained it for the last twenty years.

The evaluation, conducted in 2011, sought to assess the effectiveness and impact of the Community Mediation Boards (CMB) Program in Sri Lanka.

The report highlights that the CMB Program played a significant role in resolving different disputes within local communities, including interpersonal conflicts, property disputes, and minor criminal offenses. The mediation process was credited as accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant, leading to increased participation from community members. However, the report also pointed out some challenges faced by the CMB Program. These included limited resources and capacity, uneven distribution of CMBs across regions, and the need for ongoing training and support for mediators. The report’s recommendation is that by addressing these issues, the program's impact and longevity can be improved.

This paper investigates the role of community mediation in fostering social harmony in Sri Lanka. The study considers community mediation in Sri Lanka’s post-conflict context, researching how mediation initiatives have contributed to resolving disputes, promoting reconciliation, and enhancing overall social harmony. The research highlights that mediation mechanisms have been instrumental in bridging gaps between communities, encouraging dialogue, and mitigating tensions arising from ethnic, religious, and cultural differences. By promoting local participation and ownership, community mediation has proved effective in building trust and fostering sustainable peace in Sri Lanka's diverse society. The paper emphasises the importance of continued support and recognition of community mediation as a key strategy for nurturing social harmony and preventing conflicts from resurfacing in the future.

The paper explores the effectiveness and impact of community mediation boards in the Northern Province. The paper emphasises the need for an inclusive approach that considers the perspectives and values of all parties involved. The unique experiences of peoples in the Northern Provinces were considered through interviews of various stakeholders, including community members, mediators, and local authorities, who spoke on their expectations of the mediation process. Key successes of community mediation boards were their ability to solve minor disputes and foster a sense of social cohesion, but they did also face several challenges. These challenges include issues relating to mediator training and qualifications, power imbalances, and limitations in handling complex or sensitive cases. The paper concludes by advocating for ongoing support, capacity-building, and community engagement to enhance the effectiveness of community mediation to promote peaceful relations and regional justice.

This study focuses on the role and impact of mediation boards in resolving disputes within local communities in Sri Lanka's Northern, Eastern, and Uva Provinces. Through considering the norms of regional communities, the research explores how mediation boards contribute to social cohesion, access to justice, and overall community well-being, shedding light on the significance of this alternative dispute resolution mechanism in the context of Sri Lanka's cultural diversity. A key take-away from the study, was that the local participation in the mediation process gave communities a sense of ownership over dispute resolution alongside increasing feelings of fairness.

Ultimately, the research allowed for a deeper understanding of the complex social dynamics involved in mediation, this is expected to allow policymakers to develop more targeted and effective interventions for promoting positive community relations and justice.

This study explores how people local to Monaragala, Sri Lanka, perceived and interacted with Mediation boards. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating surveys and interviews to gather data from individuals who have encountered mediation boards. The inquiry finds that by internalising a process of accessing justice within communities, many participants feel that outcomes are fairer than if they had gone through formal courts. Nonetheless, it was also identified that the boards lacked an even gender balance which raised the question of appropriate representation, while other participants considered power imbalances as a factor that could decrease their faith in the mediation process. Such information is being used to improve the mediation process through new recruitment drives and specialised training to identify and overcome power imbalances.

This paper investigates the views and experiences of Mediation Boards among individuals in the Trincomalee and Batticaloa Districts. The study analyses the effectiveness and significance of boards as a tool for conflict resolution in a local context. The research team actively engaged with community members to understand their perspectives on the Mediation Boards' functioning and impacts. The key findings of the publication displayed the importance of the boards in resolving disputes alongside improving community relations. The study highlights that people view the boards positively, appreciating their role in promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and maintaining social harmony. However, some challenges that were identified concerned gender representation and power dynamics within the mediation processes. Such observations are expected to influence future training of mediators and recruitment initiatives to improve the quality of mediation.

The Asia Foundation set out to understand and profile women mediators working in the community mediation boards by conducting a survey, which would provide a sound basis for greater advocacy to increase the participation of women mediators. This is a crucial first step toward the equal representation and participation of women mediators within the wider context of gender equality for women in mediation. While the report offers key insights and recommendations, the most important recommendation that emerges from this study is the need for proactive affirmative action to increase the number of women through temporary quotas at nomination and special measures at selection.

This report researched the specific training requirements of mediation officers, who, in turn, will use the conclusions reached by the report to train future mediators. The study uses qualitative interviews and surveys to gather data from mediation officers, and those who use mediation services, to better understand the skills, knowledge and sensitivities that these officers need to effectively educate aspiring mediators on. The report identifies that successful mediators need to possess a strong understanding of conflict resolution theory and practice, along with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Additionally, the research highlights the significance of continuous professional development to keep mediation officers updated with evolving mediation techniques and the best practices.