Good governance and conflict transformation in Sri Lanka [Elektronische Ressource] : a political analysis of people's perceptions of institutions at the local level and the challenges of decentralised governance / submitted by: Christine Bigdon

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Fakultät für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften Südasien-Institut, Abteilung Politische Wissenschaft Inaugural - Dissertation Good Governance and Conflict Transformation in Sri Lanka A Political Analysis of People’s Perceptions of Institutions at the Local Level and the Challenges of Decentralised Governance Submitted by: Christine Bigdon, M.A. Rosental 96 53111 Bonn Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Subrata K. Mitra March 2006 Acknowledgements To complete a Ph.D. thesis means to have reached the end of a long, exciting, sometimes overwhelming adventure. At the end of this process it is particularly difficult to keep track of what has been achieved and to appreciate the interesting aspects of the topic one has been researching for such a long time. For me the most exciting part is to think back to the beginning of this process and to those who have shared this road with me. It has been them, the team of research colleagues, partners in critical discussions, supporters, family members and friends who have made this experience lively, valuable and at the end truly enjoyable. I am deeply grateful to my supervisor Professor S.K. Mitra who has always encouraged and supported me throughout this long journey from the initial ideas up to the final preparation of this dissertation. Thanks also to other colleagues from the South Asia Institute, especially Prof.