The Centre for Just Peace and Democracy (CJPD) is an action research centre working towards a negotiated resolution to the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. With approximately a million Tamils living in India, North America, Europe and Australia, the Tamil diaspora has historically played a significant role in the conflict in Sri Lanka. CJPD was founded in 2004 to formalise pre-existing networks of activists and academics in the Tamil diaspora and beyond. CJPD will work with all communities to promote a just peace.

While CJPD does not represent either party to the conflict, it draws on the trust and relationships built by its members to gain insights into the Tamil perspective that are not available to those outside the diaspora. By combining intellectual rigour with a sound practical understanding of ground realities CJPD seeks to increase the quality of interaction between the parties to the conflict, civil society groups both within Sri Lanka and in the diaspora, and with the international community.

CJPD strives to provide a forum to channel diverse opinions and facilitate the formation of political opinions amongst all those who have an interest in resolving the conflict. By conducting primary research, publishing reports, carrying out analysis and organising conference, workshops and seminars, CJPD contributes to the conflict resolution discourse on Sri Lanka.

CJPD is aware that an end to war needs to challenge the status-quo and the notion of impossibility. As a track 2 actor CJPD strives to end war and work towards formulating a negotiated and just resolution to the deep-rooted and protracted conflict in Sri Lanka.