Context and Background:
Sixteen years after the end of the civil war, Sri Lanka continues to face deep social divisions and fragile trust in its public institutions. While recent elections have brought a renewed mandate for reform, policymakers, civil society, and everyday citizens still lack a shared, unbiased evidence base to guide these efforts.
Established in 2018 to address this gap, the Sri Lanka Barometer (SLB) is the country’s first nationally representative survey that tracks public perceptions on social cohesion, reconciliation, and governance. Operating on a biennial (every two years) cycle, the SLB provides a reliable, ongoing look at what matters most to everyday citizens.
Project Goals and Outcomes:
Supported by the European Union, this 18-month project aims to institutionalize the Sri Lanka Barometer (SLB) to contribute to inclusive, accountable, and evidence-based governance. The overall goal is supported by the following objectives:
Objective 1: Strengthen the institutional foundation of the SLB within its new local home, the non-profit organization Insights.
Objective 2: Enhance public access to evidence through widespread dissemination of the 2025 SLB data.
Objective 3: Implement the nationwide 2027 SLB survey to ensure the continued generation of policy-relevant evidence.
Approach and Methodology:
Search for Common Ground is partnering with Insights to ensure the SLB’s findings serve as a catalyst for safe, constructive dialogue. The project will conduct a rigorous public opinion survey of 3,800 to 4,000 citizens across all 25 districts, ensuring all ethnic groups and regions are fairly represented. By upgrading an open-access Online Data Analysis (ODA) tool and hosting targeted workshops, the project will empower citizens, civil society, media, and policymakers to directly use this data to drive meaningful advocacy and inclusive reforms.
