Chapter 4: (2) Causes of the Sri Lankan conflict

Why are the Sinhalese and Tamils in conflict?


Basically, it's because of unfair treatment! There are 2 time periods you can compare: before Sri Lanka became independent, and after independence.

• Before independence: British Colonial Rule --> Tamils were favored
• After independence: Sri Lankan Rule --> Sinhalese were favored

There are 4 policies which were unfair and which are identified as the causes of the conflict.

#1: Citizenship rights (1948)

To be stateless means that the Indian Tamils now did not have basic rights such as education, jobs, housing and voting.


India tried to help these Indian Tamils who were stateless.
What did they do?
Was it successful?











#2: 'Sinhala Only' policy (1956)


A peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act was disrupted by supporters of the Sinhala language.


Rioting occured and over a hundered deaths resulted.


Although Tamil was made the language of a national minority in 1957, tension between the Sinhalese and Tamils continued to increase.



This led to more fighting and deaths. :(












#3: University admission criteria (1972)


After independence, Tamils had to score higher than Sinhalese students to enter the same university courses!


A fixed number of places were also reserved for the Sinhalese.


This meant that admission was no longer based on academic results.



This system is still in place today!

#4: Resettlement (1950)


Before independence:

• Indian Tamils: highland districts
• Sri Lankan Tamils: Jaffna Peninsula

After independence in the 1950s:

• Sinhalese peasants were transferred to these Tamil areas
• Buddhisti monks and the Sri Lankan Army also came to occupy their lands
• i.e. the Tamils were chased and driven out of their homes and land!!
  

Conclusion