Where is Sri Lanka?

How bad was it? 12 May 2009 - As many as 1,000 civilians may have been killed in two days of shelling that marked some of the worst violence in Sri Lanka 29 May 2009 - More than 20,000 civilians were killed in the final months of Sri Lanka's civil war 13 May 2009 - more than 50 people died when two shells hit the zone's main hospital compound. 5 July 2009 - A Tamil Tiger grabbed the gun of a Sri Lankan soldier conducting a search of a boat and shot three troops, killing one

SRI LANKA A DIVIDED ISLAND

of conflict in Sri Lanka? Learning Objectives: What are the causes of conflict in Sri Lanka? Citizenship Rights “Sinhala Only” Policy University Admission Criteria Resettlement

People of Sri Lanka The Majority - Sinhalese speak Sinhalese Buddhists The Minority- Tamils speak Tamil Hindus Indian Tamils – came later, brought in by British rulers to work in tea plantations Sri Lankan Tamils – descendents of Tamil migrants, lived in Sri Lanka since 300 BCE

Under the British Colonial Rule before 1948 Tamil minority are favored in terms of jobs & education Could read/write English After independence in 1948 New government made up of mainly Sinhalese Introduced policies that favored the Sinhalese

Reasons for Sinhalese -Tamil Conflict Citizenship Rights ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy University Admission Resettlement of Population

1. Citizenship Rights Ceylon Citizenship Qualification Act in 1948 granted to those who were born in Sri Lanka granted to those whose father and grandfather were also born there Result of the Act Many Indian Tamils brought from India by the British to work in Sri Lanka became stateless Indian Tamils lost their basic rights: education, jobs, housing and voting

Issues that led to Conflict Denying Indian Tamils of citizenship Why? -so that Tamils will not be given voting rights and Tamils will not gain political power 1964: India tried to help but was not successful. 2003: Grant of Citizenship to Persons of Indian Origin Bill: Citizenship to any person of Indian origin who has lived in Sri Lanka since 1964 or was descended from someone who had stayed in Sri Lanka since that date.

2. 'Sinhala Only' Policy Under the British Rule Many educated Tamils could enter government service They held important jobs in the government Sinhalese were disadvantaged because they could not read/write English well.

After Independence Sinhala was made the only official language of administration in 1956. Tamils in the government service were given three years to learn Sinhala or be dismissed from the job.

Tamils’ Reaction to the 1956 Official Language Act Unhappy as they were now unable to get jobs or promotions Organized a peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act Peaceful demonstration was disrupted by the Sinhalese supporters – riots occurred.

Issues that led to Conflict Making Sinhala the official language -only language of administration, instead of English language Why ? -Nationalistic feelings -to win support of Sinhalese voters -to give Sinhalese more opportunities to better jobs BUT -made it difficult for Tamils to get government jobs Compromise : 1978 -recognition of Tamil as national language and language of administration in Tamil majority areas

3. University Admission Before 1970 University admission based on merit & exams are in English After 1970 Tamil students have to score higher marks than the Sinhalese students to enter the same courses in the universities. Fixed number of places reserved for Sinhalese

Issues that led to Conflict Higher entry standards for Tamils for University Admission Why ? -To allow more Sinhalese to study in the University BUT -more difficult for Tamil students to enter University

4. Resettlement of Population Transferred Sinhalese from the densely populated south-western and and central areas into the Tamil area. The aim of this policy was to provide land for the landless Sinhalese peasants to live on and to cultivate rice.

Issues that led to Conflict Resettling Sinhalese in Tamil areas Why ? To give landless Sinhalese peasants to make a living To change population representation : to increase Sinhalese population so that the area becomes Sinhalese majority BUT -made Tamils a minority in the area -made life more difficult for Tamils with the coming of the army and militant monks

Resettlement of Population SRI LANKA Racial Differences Sinhalese vs Tamils Conflicts over Citizenship rights Government Jobs University Admission Resettlement of Population

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