SRI LANKA

Causes of the CONFLICT.

Sri Lanka government passed the Ceylon Citizenship Act (1948) Only to those who were either born in Sri Lanka Or those whose forefathers were born there. Indian Tamils were stateless. Indian Tamils did not have basic rights (education, jobs, housing, voting) Indian Tamils still continued to work in tear plantations. They contributed significantly to the economy.
AID FROM OTHER COUNTRY.

Citizenship Rights

India held discussions with Sri Lanka. Agreed to allow a certain number if Indian Tamils to return to India. The rest were to be granted citizenship. In 2003: Grant of Citizenship to Persons of Indian Origin Bill. To any person of Indian origin had permanently lived in Sri Lanka since 1964. Or was descended from someone who had permanently stayed in Sri Lanka.

In 1956, Sinhala was declared as the countrys official language. Sinhala was used as the language of administration in Sri Lanka. Tamils in government service were given 3years to learn or be dismissed! Tamils were upset, it was difficult for them to find jobs/ be promoted.
EFFECT.

Sinhala Only Policy

Rioting occurred between the Sinhala language supporters and Tamils. In 1957, Sri Lankan government and Tamil leader signed a pact: (a) make Tamil the language of a national minority (b) allow its use as a language of administration only in the northern/eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
AID GIVEN

Sri Lankan Constitution granted greater recognition to Tamil language

After 1970, university admission was not based on merit & examinations

University Admission Criteria

were not in English. Did not benefit the English-educated Tamils. Tamil students had to score higher marks than the Sinhalese students. A fixed number of places un the university were reserved for the Sinhalese. Admission was no longer based on academic results.

Resettling of poor Sinhalese peasants in 1950s. Sinhalese peasants were transferred from the densely populated southwestern & central areas to Tamil areas. It is to provide land for the landless Sinhalese peasants to live on & to cultivate padi. Tamils were not happy: - It was overcrowded as Buddhist monks & Sri Lanka Army also occupies their lands.

Resettlement

Consequences of CONFLICT.
Political Consequence

ARMED CONFLICT

The policies made the Tamils feel discriminated. 1. The Tamils of Sri Lanka made peaceful demands that they should be treated fairly. 2. Early 1950s, the Federal Party, asked that Tamil areas be recognized as a federation within the country. (did not ask for separation or use violence) 3. 1976, Tamil United Liberation Front, asked for separation & be called Tamil Eelam. 4. Government rejected the idea. 5. Some Tamil youths formed a militant group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Resorted to violence. Sinhalese also showed their hostility towards the Tamils. There were series of riots between 1981 1984 The armed conflict led a war between Tamil Tigers and Sri Lanka government, It has troubled the country for more than 20 years and cost 60 000 lives.
FOREIGN INTERVENTION

The Sinhalese-Tamil conflict attracted the attention of INDIA. In July 1983 riots, India played the role of a mediator. It sent its foreign ministers to Sri Lanka. The dialogue failed.

3July 1987, India sent 20 ships to Jaffna and provide food & petroleum products. Sri Lanka Navy turned back the aid. The Indian Air Force violated the Sri Lankan airspace by dropping food to Jaffna. July 1987, Sri Lanka agreed to sign a peace accord with India. In October, the Tamil Tigers failed to fully surrender their weapons, Indian troops took control of them by force. Economic Consequence

UNEMPLOYMENT

Thousands of factory workers, the self-employed & plantation workers lost their jobs. Most of them were Sinhalese who took part in vandalizing, looting etc.
LOST OF INVESTMENTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

Foreign Investments are needed if the economy of a country is to grow.

FALL IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS

Tourism in Sri Lanka was seriously affected. Tourist arrivals steadily decreased after the riots. It resulted to loss of jobs & a fall in earnings. There were limited funds to develop amenities & facilities such as transport & housing. Social Consequence

SRI LANKA TAMILS DRIVEN OUT OF THEIR HOMELAND

Caused large-scale displacement beyond its borders. In 1983 riots, thousands of Tamils fled to the South India. Early 1990s, High Security Zones by Sri Lankan Army was set up to keep The LTTE away. In 1995, many Tamils had to flee from their homes when the army moved to Jaffna to on the LTTE.