Maintaining Democratic Space in the Public Sphere: A Strategy for Sri Lankan Civil Society

Over the years, the nature and extent of civil society space has been determined by the policies and ideologies dominant in the political sphere. Accordingly, transitions of power have been accompanied by radical transformations of civil society space. In this context, a critical question arises: is it possible for CSOs advancing liberal and democratic ends to maintain their space notwithstanding political transitions? Verité’s recent study sought to identify the driving factors that determine the sustainability of democratic space within which CSOs operate in Sri Lanka, and present a strategic view on how this space can be sustainably maintained and expanded in the future, notwithstanding political transitions.