Linking development and human security:

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive and critical examination of the complex interrelationship between development and human security, focusing specifically on the dynamics of human trafficking in post-conflict Sri Lanka. The conclusion of the civil conflict in 2009 marked a pivotal turning point in the country’s socio-political and economic trajectory. However, the transition from war to peace has not uniformly translated into stability or security for all segments of society. Instead, persistent structural inequalities, economic dislocation, social fragmentation and weakened institutional frameworks have created a fertile environment for the proliferation of human trafficking networks, particularly targeting women, children, ex combatants and internally displaced persons. Adopting a comprehensive approach, this research integrates theoretical perspectives from the human security paradigm, structural violence theory, feminist theory and Amartya Sen’s capability approach to construct a robust analytical framework. These perspectives enable a deeper understanding of the underlying drivers of human trafficking beyond the conventional focus on criminality and law enforcement. The study posits that human trafficking in Sri Lanka is fundamentally a development failure and a human security crisis. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative research design grounded in interpretivism and an inductive reasoning approach. Primary data were collected through semi structured interviews with a purposively selected sample of stakeholders including military personnel, policymakers, law enforcement officers, civil society actors and representatives of non-governmental organizations engaged in anti-trafficking initiatives. Thematic and content analysis techniques were applied to the data, revealing several interconnected themes: socioeconomic instability, post-conflict trauma and displacement, institutional inefficiencies, policy fragmentation and a lack of coordinated, victim-centered interventions. The findings of the research underscore the urgent need to reframe human trafficking not simply as a transnational crime, but as a multi-layered development and security issue that requires a holistic, people-centered response. The study ‘argues that sustainable and inclusive development such as characterized by economic empowerment, equitable access to education and healthcare, psychosocial rehabilitation and gender-sensitive policy reform, is essential to addressing the root causes of vulnerability that trafficking networks exploit. Accordingly, the study offers a set of practical, evidence-based policy recommendations tailored to Sri Lanka’s post-conflict context. These include strengthening of institutional coordination mechanisms, reforming legal and policy frameworks in line with international standards, investing in community-based development programs, enhancing victim identification and support systems and fostering regional and international cooperation to disrupt trafficking networks. Therefore, the research contributes meaningfully to the academic discourse on human security and development. It provides a valuable resource for policymakers, practitioners and scholars seeking to craft comprehensive and contextually relevant strategies to combat human trafficking in transitional societies.