Nadine Vanniasinkam

This report delves into the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Sri Lanka, shedding light on the dynamics of vulnerability and resilience that emerged during this unprecedented crisis. Spanning the period from March 2020 to December 2021, the study reviews research published during this time frame, offering an understanding of how the pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing inequalities and forms of repression within Sri Lankan society. Through an exploration of individual, community, and state responses to vulnerability, this report captures the challenges faced and the human resilience that surfaced in the face of disruption. Drawing on comparative literature from the region and beyond, this analysis sets the stage for a quantitative and qualitative examination of vulnerability experiences among a diverse sample of respondents across the country. This report serves as a resource to understand the barriers, opportunities, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. It underscores the enduring relevance of dissecting the pandemic’s impact on society, highlighting not only the vulnerabilities exposed but also the resilience and innovation that emerged amidst adversity.


Nadine Vanniasinkam is currently reading for a PhD in Anthropology
at the Australian National University and was a senior researcher at the
International Centre for Ethnic Studies at the time this review was completed.