Chapter 4: Conflict in Multi-Ethnic Societies2

What are the consequences of the Sinhalese-Tamil Conflict?

Factors: Political Consequences, Economic Consequences and Social Consequences
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Identify: Political Consequences

• Armed Conflict,

Describe:(Why the factor was important before the conflict

• Prior to the violence, in the 1950s demonstrators against the government policies were peacefully carried out.
• The Tamils wanted the Tamil areas to be recognized as a federation within the same country; they did not ask for a separate state.
• They did not use violence.
• In 1976, the newly formed Tamil united Liberation Front asked for a separate, Independent State called Tamil Eelam.

Explain(How the conflict affected the factor)

• Since the Sri Lankan Government rejected the proposal, conflict aroused.
• many Tamil youths lost hope in the government and formed a militant group, called the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)
• They resorted to violence.
• Tamils supporting the government were also attacked.
• Tamil Politicians who did not support the proposed separate state were also attacked.
• Sinhalese used violence against the Tamils too.
• Many were killed and others injured.
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• Foreign Intervention

Describe:

• before the conflict, as an independent country, Sri Lanka was making its own decision on both internal and external matters.

Explain:

• During the conflict, India tried to be the mediator in response to the July 1983 riots.
• In 1987, it sent 20 ships to jaffna to send food and petroleum products to the Sri lankan tamils.
• Air-dropped Food and medical supplies in jaffna when the ship were turned back by the Sri lankan navy.
• This was in violation of Sri Lankan Airspace.
• Provided peacekeeping services in northeastern provinces.
• Sri lanka thus saw active involvement of a stronger neighbour in its internal affairs due to the conflict.
  

Identify:Economic Consequences

• Unemployment
  
  
  
  Describe: Before the conflict, many job opportunities were available in Sri lanka as the tourism industry was thriving, foreign countries and locals were investing in Sri Lanka

Explain: Due to the July 1983 riots, many factories and companies were burnt.

• Many businesses especially by foreigners closed down their companies.
• This meant that thousand of factory workers and plantation workers lost their jobs.
  

• Loss of Foreign Investments from other countries
  
  
  
  Describe:
  
• Before the conflict, Sri lanka was seen as one of the role model country for many developing countries.
• This attracted a lot of foreign investments into Sri lanka
• Sri Lanka's economy was boosted by these foreign investments.

Explain:

• Due to the conflict, foreign investors lost confidence in Sri Lanka
• They were afraid of losing their investment in Sri Lanka.
• They decided to look elsewhere besides Sri lanka for their investments.
• The economy thus suffered badly.

Identify: fall in number of tourists

Describe:

• Before the conflict, one of the major source of revenue for Sri lanka came from tourism.
• Tourism was thus a key player in the growth of the economy.

Explain:

• Due to the conflict, countries discouraged their people from travelling to Sri lanka.
• Tourists were also hesitant to come to Sri lanka.
• Thus there was a drastic fall in tourism industry resulting in unemployment and loss of income from for Sri lanka.
• Thus the economy was affected badly.

Social Consequence

• identify: Sri Lankan Tamils driven out of their homeland

Describe:

• Before the conflict, Sri lankan Tamils mainly resided in the northern and Eastern provinces of Sri lanka.

Explain:

• Due to the 1983 riots, many Tamils fled to Tamil nadu in south India.
• Up till today, many Sri Lankans still remain as refuges in india.
• High Security Zones(HSZ) were also cset up by the Sri Lankan Army to keep the LTTE away.
• Many Tamils were displaced when the Sri lankan Army moved to jaffna to take on the LTTE.
• Many Tamils were forced to live in refugee camps with poor living conditions.

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