Sri Lanka Case Study - INTD 398

Sri Lanka post-independence political shift and Tamil exclusion

• tamils first included through communal representation, but then excluded due to Sinhalese-favouring territorial represnetation systems

• this led to gradual closing of peaceful channels for ethnic demands

how did structural discrimination radicalize Tamils

• legal discrimination (citizenship laws in 50), anti-Tamil violence (riots in 80) and ignored autonomy demands led youth to turn to militancy and secession (LTTE)

role of international actors in Sri Lanka

• India supported Tamil militants, provided IPKF

• Norway tried peace talks

• Western asylum and weapons support occurred

Lange on Sri Lanka

absence of effective institutions and state-led exclusion made violent nationalism more likely

Wilson on Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s protracted ethnic conflict and Tamil demands for separation were driven by the failure of power-sharing arrangements, the rise of Sinhalese majoritarianism, and state-sponsored discrimination

why did Sinhalese nationalism view Tamils as a threat?

despite being the majority, Sinhalese has a “minority complex” due to Tamils perceived economic and political privileges under colonial rule

how did colonialism contribute to ethnic tension in Ski Lanka

British policies privileged English-educated elites (mainly Tamils) creating resentment among Sinhalese

what was the Swabhasha movement in Sri Lanka

a push to make Sinhalese the sole official language, marginalizing Tamil speakers

why was english education important under colonial rule?

gave access to jobs and upward mobility - Tamils gained advantage by adopting it. At the same time, Sinhalese retained vernacular education (which was permitted by colonial authority because they didn’t have enough resources to each everyone)

what electoral change harmed Tamil representation (1950s)?

shift from communal to territorial representation, favouring Sinhalese-majority constituencies

why did Tamils shift from political participation to resistance?

• repeated rejection of their demands and closed political channels led them to pursue extra-institutional means to resist assimilation

• initial goal was autonomy within, but moved to secession and creating of independent state

what led to the rise of the LTTE

continued oppression, failed negotiations, and the radicalization after the 1983 anti-Tamil riots

what was the LTTE’s aim

creation of an independent Tamil state

what event further radicalized the Tamil community in 1983?

state-supported anti-Tamil riots, leading to massacres and exodus

what role did India play in Sri Landa

hosted Tamil refugees, trained Tamil militants, and attempted mediation

how did foreign countries impact the Sri Lanka conflict

Tamils recieved asylum/supports from Western countries, Sri Lanka recieved backing from pakistan and china

what were the effects of refugee flows in Sri Lanka

shared stories of violence intensified ethnic polarization and supported growth of militancy

what was the 1983 Parthasarathy Formula?

a failed attempt to grant Tamil-majority areas autonomy

what was the 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan Accord

purposed devolution of powers and introduced the IPKF

why did the IPKF fail?

it lacked a mandate to combat LTTE violence and was mistrusted by all parties

why did the 2002 Norway Peace talks collapse?

repeated ceasefire violations by the LTTE and mistrust from both sides

Sri Lanka end of war

• civil war ended in 2009 with total military victory by the Ski Lankan government

• the LTTE had begun to lose support internationally bc of terroism and tactics

• military victory ended conflict, but deep grievances and lack of reconciliation remain