SRI LANKA-CAUSES OF CONFLICT IN SRI LANKA
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Identify the factor:Citizenship Rights
Describe: in 1948, Sri Lanka granted citizenship to only those who were either born in Sri lanka or those fathers and grandfathers were born there. As a result, many Indian Tamils found themselves stateless. Thought India tried to solve the problem, many Indian Tamils continued to remain stateless in the late 1980s.
In 2003, Sri Lanka passed the Grant of Citizenship to persons of Indian origin Bill- Citizenship was given to any person (or descendants ) of Indian origin who lived in Sri Lanka since 1964.
Explain: This meant that they were unhappy as despite contributing to the economy, they were not given citizenship. Thus they supported the Tamil Tigers in the conflict against the government.
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Identify the factor: Sinhala-Only Policy
Describe: Under the British rule , Tamils held the powerful jobs in the government service because of their good command of English. However, based on the 1956 Official language Act, Sinhalese because the language of administration. The Tamils held a peaceful demonstration which was however disrupted by the supporters of Sinhala language.
Since 1957, the government has granted greater recognition to the Tamil language by declaring it a national language, language of administration in the northern and eastern provinces,
Explain: This upset the Tamils as they that they were unable to secure jobs or be promoted. They also concluded that peaceful means might not work and violence might be the answer to the problem.
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Identify the factor: University Admission
Describe: Before 1970, the Tamils were unhappy with the education system as it was based on merit. However, from 1970 onwards, the Tamils have to score higher marks that the Sinhalese to enter the most popular courses in the university.
This system is still in place today.
Explain: This made the Tamils unhappy and resent the government. They felt that the government was biased against them and in the process,deprived them of good job opportunities. They thus supported the Tamil Tigers against the government.
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Identify the factor: Resettlement of the population
Describe: The government implemented a policy to provide land for the poor Sinhalese peasants. These peasants were transferred from the densely populated south-western and central areas into Tamil areas. however, the Buddhist monks and the Sri lanka Army came with the other Sinhalese to the Tamil areas to occupy the lands
Explain: This caused unhappiness because the Tamils now have to compete with the Sinhalese peasants for lands, as well as jobs and sales of their products. They thus resented the government.
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Which one is the most important factor?
Without a proper education , you wouldn't be able to secure a good job in any sectors. Even if the discriminatory policies regarding jobs are lifted, it will be pointless without a good education. Most Tamils were not even able to get a university education they deserve. Furthermore, most university graduates were young and energetic. Thus, they become good recruitment grounds for the Tamils, even if they are not studying in the university due to discrimination. Thus, I think that the discrimination at University admission is the most important that the discrimination at jobs or the Official Language Act.
Which one is the least important factor?
The citizenship rights only affected Tamils in certain districts, this only concerns the Tamils who were brought over from India by the British to work in the tea plantation estates in Sri Lanka. This is different from the other reason which directly affected the Sri lankan Tamils in the northeastern provinces in Sri lanka. the Tamil tigers were using the citizenship issue to their advantage to highlight the discrimination against the Tamils. thus, in my opinion, the citizenship right is not as important a factor as the other factors. The Tamils needed proper education to secure a good job. They also need good support from the government to make a good living in their area. thus the other three factors: Discrimination at Universities, The "Sinhala Only" Policy and the resettlement are equally important.
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