This issue of the LMD magazine carries an article by CEPA titled “MISUNDERSTOOD AND MISUSED” which talks on how diaspora groups can help in the country,s recovery process. The Sri Lankan diaspora is a transnational community and it is the source of much interest to both the Government and development community, especially in the post-conflict context. The largest Sri Lankan diaspora comprises the Tamil community, as much of the conflict was concentrated in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. These communities are scattered across the globe, with concentrations in Canada, the UK, India, Europe, Australia and Malaysia. Even though the Tamil diaspora is the largest Sri Lankan expatriate community, it is by no means homogeneous. The diaspora has the potential to play a role in supporting post-conflict reconstruction, by investing in or facilitating development initiatives. Financial capacity, health skills and knowledge base, networks and lobbying power — both locally and internationally — are important features of diaspora communities that can be used to foster development in post-crisis homelands. These groups should not be classified with those of more extreme views. Rather, these moderate diaspora groups should be recognized as the people to start engaging with, in the recovery process