The Psychological Impact of the 1988/89 Terror Period in Sri Lanka

 

Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge 

The JVP a leftist political party in Sri Lanka, launched its 2nd Insurgency during the time 1988/89, which cost the lives of over 60,000 people. The 88/89 terror period was marked by killings of civilians as well as destruction of national assets. The killings were orchestrated by the government forces as well as the JVP and other paramilitary groups. Unspeakable atrocities were committed against humanity during this terror period, and the nation went through its darkest phase. Loss of life and destruction of property became daily occurrences. It caused devastating and destructive consequences. It damaged the entire fabric of society. The insurgency in 1988/89 created a collective trauma.

During 88/89, the time period, killings became a widespread phenomenon in society. People were murdered for minor reasons. Human life had no value. This was a collective violence in its highest form. It was an instrumental use of violence by people who identified themselves as members of a group. Mostly these people who had no attachments to society. They were more likely to join a group in order to have a sense of belonging and commit atrocities. 88/89 was a social pathology as well as a social malady. As a result of unceasing terror, people lived in heightened fear and anxiety.

In this time period the county lost a large number of potential individuals. Sadly, a large number of intellectuals, such as Professor Stanley Wijesundera, Professor Chandratne Patuwathavithane etc., were eliminated. Many fled the country. 

Moreover, torture became a potent weapon during this horrendous period. Rohitha Munasinge’s book titled Eliyakanda wada kandawura (Killing Point) gives firsthand accounts of torturing methods that were administered during 1988-1989 in the South of Sri Lanka. Inmates were constantly subjected to physical torture and humiliation, and many witnessed the killings of their friends. Those who escaped or were released from the K Point still suffer from numerous psychological ailments. Furthermore, the Embilipitiya schoolchildren’s massacre (mass disappearances) and extrajudicial killings in the Batalanda detention center still echo in the society.

1988/89 collective violence in Sri Lanka caused massive mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicidality, and chronic mental illness. Most of these cases were undiagnosed and untreated. Mostly it caused a sense of pervasive agitation, disturbance, turmoil, and helplessness among the population. Suspicion, bigotry, and enmity divided people.  

In 88/89, people constantly exposed to violence and deteriorating social conditions became emotionally insensitive and gradually lost their respect for the values of life. The "culture of violence" transformed people to believe that aggressive attitudes and violent behavior were normal and acceptable in an environment where violence is viewed as an acceptable way to get and maintain power and to solve problems. It transformed Sri Lankan society. Many perpetrators who committed violence in the 1988/89 period went unpunished. Still, Sri Lankan society is experiencing the psychological impact of 1988/89. There was no systematic scientific study of 88/89 violence, and also there was no reconciliation program to heal the society.