Conflict in Multi-Ethnic Societies Sri Lanka & Northern Ireland

Why are the Sinhalese and Tamils in Conflict 4.1 Citizenship Rights 4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy 4.3 University Admission Criteria 4.4 Resettlement

4.1 Citizenship Rights Ceylon Citizenship Act passed (1948) Citizenship granted to people born in Sri Lanka Indian Tamils became stateless Indian Tamils did not have basic citizenship rights Many Indians still worked on plantations and contributed to the Sri Lankan economy –Housing –Voting –Education –Jobs

4.1 Citizenship Rights India helps stateless Indian Tamils (1964) A certain number return to India Rest to be granted Sri Lankan citizenship Agreement not fully carried out 100,000 Indian Tamils remain stateless

4.1 Citizenship Rights Grant of Citizenship to Persons of Indian Origin Bill passed (2003) Citizenship given to any person of Indian origin who have stayed in Sri Lanka since 1964

4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy Under British rule, English-educated Tamils had powerful jobs in government Sinhalese were disadvantaged as they could not read or write English well.

4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy Sinhala declared official language under Official Language Act (1956) Sinhala used in administration Tamils given 3 years to learn Sinhala or be dismissed. Tamils upset as they found it difficult to find jobs or be promoted

4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy Peaceful demonstration held but disrupted Rioting occurred and deaths resulted Sri Lankan govt and Tamil leader sign pact (1957) Tamil made language of administration in Northern and Eastern areas where most Tamils lived Tensions still increased

4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy Since then, Sri Lankan constitution has granted greater recognition to the Tamil language In the Northern and Eastern provinces, Tamil is –The National Language –Language of Administration –Official Language

4.3 University Admission Criteria Before 1970, entry into university was merit-based and it benefited the English- educated Proportion of Tamils entering university was higher than Sinhalese in terms of population Almost equal number of Tamils and Sinhalese entered the more respected courses (medicine and engineering)

4.3 University Admission Criteria After 1970, a new admission criteria was introduced. Tamils had to score more than Sinhalese Places in university were reserved for Sinhalese Admission was no longer merit-based

4.4 Resettlement Indian Tamil population were concentrated in the highland districts Sri Lankan Tamil population make up 95% of the Jaffna peninsula Sinhalese are found in large numbers everywhere except Jaffna and Batticaloa

4.4 Resettlement Resettlement Policy (1950s) Sinhalese peasants transferred from densely populated areas to Tamil areas Sinhalese peasants given land to cultivate Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan army (mostly Sinhalese) also occupied Tamil land

4.4 Resettlement Whole Tamil villages were emptied out Sinhalese moved into land that belonged to Tamils. Settlers were also armed.